Neymar gave Paris Saint-Germain an early lead and then provided the assist for Danilo Pereira to score a late winner as the unbeaten Ligue 1 Uber Eats frontrunners battled to a 2-1 win at Lorient on Sunday.
THE MATCH
Lens' win at Angers on Saturday had taken the northerners to within two points of the league leaders, and for much of the game it looked like that margin would be extended by only a point with PSG toiling in the autumn sunshine in Brittany.
The game had started perfectly though for the visitors, who were without Lionel Messi as the Argentina international nursed an Achilles problem. Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo had already saved a Neymar effort (7') when the Switzerland international was soon picking the ball out of his net, deposited there by the Brazilian following Hugo Ekitike's cross (9') for his 11th league goal of the campaign.
An injury to Mvogo caused by a collision with teammate Bonke Innocent in the incident leading to the opening goal meant he was replaced by veteran Vito Mannone, and the former Sunderland and Monaco goalkeeper was soon called into action, pushing out a Sergio Ramos header (28').
He would have had more work to do had Ekitike managed to get his shot on target (31'), but the summer signing from Reims saw his shot — teed up by Neymar — fly just wide. Kylian Mbappé, who had scored six times in his previous four matches, then brought a save from the Lorient goalkeeper (33') before Julien Ponceau provided the hosts' first threat: sending a crisp left-foot drive just over Gianluigi Donnarumma's crossbar (39').
Lorient had failed to win their three previous outings, slowing the momentum built by their fine start to the season, but Régis Le Bris' men found the resolve to level early in the second half. Vincent Le Goff found Enzo Le Fée — he played Terem Moffi in behind Ramos, and the Nigerian striker rattled in his ninth league goal of the season (53').
Moffi then struck the crossbar (58') as Lorient threatened to improve on their record of just one win in their last 15 Ligue 1 Uber Eats games against PSG. Galtier's side showed character though to hold on before Danilo rose to power header from a Neymar corner past Mannone (81') and keep the champions unbeaten, five points clear at the top of the table.
THE PLAYER: Neymar
Eleven goals — a joint-Ligue 1 Uber Eats high with Mbappé — and nine assists are testament to the Brazilian's efforts for his club this season, which promises to be his best yet in the red-and-blue shirt.
THE STAT: 250
Marquinhos made his 250th Ligue 1 Uber Eats appearance for Paris today. Only Dimitri Payet (210) and Marco Verratti (185) have won more matches than the Brazilian (184).
