Paris Saint-Germain reclaims top spot

Midfielder Noah Nartey made an immediate impact at his new club by scoring on his Ligue 1 debut to lead Lyon to a 10th consecutive win across all competitions, and Paris Saint-Germain won 2-1 at Strasbourg to reclaim top spot despite playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men. Lyon beat Lille 1-0 in a match of few chances for both teams on Sunday. Nartay netted the decisive goal in the 37th minute and Lyon climbed to fourth, level on points with third-place Marseille.

PSG faced strong opposition and returned to first place after Nuno Mendes headed home the winner in the 81st as Strasbourg failed to capitalize on its numerical advantage. PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov saved a penalty in the first half.  Defending champion PSG holds a two-point lead over Lens, with Marseille and Lyon nine points adrift. Mendes’ goal from Warren Zaire-Emery’s cross came only a few minutes after Achraf Hakimi was sent off for a reckless challenge on Joaquin Panichelli.

In an enthralling first half, Strasbourg had the chance to take the lead in the 19th minute from the penalty spot. But Safonov, a spot-kick specialist who was preferred to Lucas Chevalier in goal for the second match in a row, dived to deny Panichelli. PSG broke the deadlock following a defensive mistake from Mamadou Sarr in the 22nd minute. The Strasbourg captain failed to clear the ball inside the box and instead fired it straight at Bradley Barcola. It fell to Senny Mayulu, who scored with a left-footed strike.

The hosts drew level five minutes later through a goal from Guela Doue, with his brother Desire Doue — who plays for PSG — watching from the visitors’ bench. The goal came at the conclusion of a move ignited by a brilliant pass from Panichelli that released Ben Chilwell on the left. The former Chelsea player then crossed into the middle for Doue to slot home.

“It was a very difficult match against a very difficult opponent,” Safonov said. “We were a bit lucky at the end of the game, it’s true. It was a nervy ending.” It was a first league defeat for Strasbourg coach Gary O’Neil, who had been unbeaten since replacing Liam Rosenior following his fellow Englishman’s departure to Premier League club Chelsea.