French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain remained undefeated at the halfway point of the season after beating Stade Malherbe Caen 3-0 away on Saturday.
Angel di Maria, who scored twice, underlined the good start to his PSG career since joining from Manchester United in the off-season. He has nine goals in all competitions and 10 assists.
His first goal was a crisp finish after Caen failed to clear a cross from rightback Serge Aurier. He added his second five minutes after the break, clipping the ball neatly over goalkeeper Remi Vercoutre from close range.
Photo: AFP
In between, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a spectacular league-leading 15th goal with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area.
PSG have not lost in the league since a 3-2 defeat away to Girondins de Bordeaux on March 15 and were under little threat from the Normandy side.
Caen were awarded a late penalty when captain Thiago Silva barged into striker Andy Delort, but PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp dived to his right to push away Delort’s shot.
Heading into the winter break, PSG are 19 points clear of AS Monaco, who were held to a goalless draw at ESTAC Troyes, as the bottom club recorded their third successive draw, despite playing almost the entire match with 10 men.
With 51 points, PSG have the highest points total midway through a season — one more than Olympique Lyonnais’ tally in 2006 — and PSG’s 48 goals is also the highest tally.
PSG’s defense has also been strong, with only nine goals conceded in 19 games, giving coach Laurent Blanc’s side a massive goal-difference of plus-39.
Monaco looked certain to win after Troyes went down a man in the third minute when Mouhamadou Dabo fouled Helder Costa, with the on-loan SL Benfica forward through on goal.
However, Lacina Traore’s penalty was too weak and Paul Bernardoni was able to save it — the first crucial stop by the Troyes goalkeeper.
Monaco could have had another penalty minutes later, but the referee waved away the visiting side’s protests when Traore was fouled by Thiago.
Troyes could also have had a spot-kick when Stephane Darbion appeared to be fouled by Ricardo Carvalho.
Troyes had chances to snatch the victory in the dying seconds, but have equaled SC Bastia’s record of being without a victory in their first 18 league matches.
Also on Saturday, En Avant de Guingamp and Toulouse remained mired in the relegation zone.
Guingamp fell to a fifth consecutive defeat 2-0 at home to Stade Rennais, with Ousmane Dembele and Giovanni Sio netting the goals.
Toulouse managed a 1-1 draw against Lille OSC, despite being reduced to 10 men after Tongo Doumbia was sent off in the 68th minute following a second booking.
Sofiane Boufal rescued a point for Lille three minutes from time, atoning for his mistake in the buildup to Wissam Ben Yedder’s opener.
SC Bastia moved three points above the drop zone with a 2-0 win against fellow strugglers Stade de Reims, while Lorient drew 0-0 against Nantes.
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