PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain moved another step closer to claiming their first Ligue 1 crown in 19 years with a commanding 3-0 victory over 10-man Nice on Sunday.
Jeremy Menez struck a 10th-minute opener at Parc des Princes, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his league-leading 27th goal from the penalty spot following goalkeeper David Ospina’s dismissal before Clement Chantome added a late third to leave Carlo Ancelotti’s side needing just seven points from their final five matches.
“I’m very happy tonight. We’re nine points ahead, that means the title is close,” said Ancelotti.
“The attitude was very good tonight. I think everyone was annoyed after the (defeat to Evian),” added the Italian, referring to PSG’s midweek French Cup quarter-final exit.
Marseille’s 1-0 win at home to lowly Brest on Saturday had seen the gap at the top temporarily reduced to six points, but the capital club put Wednesday’s disappointment at Evian behind them to record their fifth win in six league matches.
Ibrahimovic almost gave PSG the lead inside five minutes only for his fierce effort to rattle the post after Nemanja Pejcinovic had failed to cut out Javier Pastore’s clipped through ball. But the hosts didn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock as Ibrahimovic picked out Pastore at the far post with the Argentine managing to maintain control despite a despairing dive from Ospina before laying the ball on for Menez to stab home from six yards.
Only a sharp reflex save from Ospina denied Ezequiel Lavezzi a second shortly after, but the Colombian’s evening was to come to an abrupt end just past the hour as he was shown a straight red for scything down Lavezzi inside the area.
A loose touch from Ospina following a Didier Digard back pass allowed the Argentine to nip in and steal the ball before he was sent tumbling by the Nice ‘keeper.
Ibrahimovic calmly drilled the resulting penalty past substitute custodian Joris Delle to put PSG 2-0 ahead before Ospina’s replacement made a fine low block to deny the Swede.
Delle was helpless as the hosts netted a third two minutes from time though as Ibrahimovic exchanged passes with Blaise Matuidi before squaring for Chantome to guide into an empty net.
Earlier, Lille climbed to fourth after a dramatic 2-1 victory at Bastia. AFP
