Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain broke the record for the most points in a season by defeating LOSC Lille Metropole 3-1 on Saturday.
PSG have 86 points, two more than Olympiqaue Lyonnais’ record in 2005-2006.
Brazilian defender Marquinhos headed home a rebound in the 41st minute after Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama denied Lucas Moura.
Photo: Reuters
Lucas proved more clinical in the 66th minute, taking a pass from Javier Pastore to double the lead with an angled strike. The PSG winger fed Blaise Matuidi for the third goal in the 83rd minute.
Lille substitute Jonathan Delaplace capitalized on a mistake by Marco Verratti inside the penalty area to score a consolation goal in the last minute.
“We rediscovered a PSG clinical in front of goal,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “It’s been a while since we last scored three goals.”
The hosts were down to 10 men in the 36th minute when Lille midfielder Marvin Martin was sent off for a stamp on Yohan Cabaye’s right ankle. Cabaye was carried off and replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 42nd minute.
Blanc rested Brazil international defender Thiago Silva and Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani.
PSG clinched their fourth Ligue title on Wednesday last week, despite losing 2-1 to Stade Rennais.
AS Saint-Etienne made up ground in the race for the last UEFA Champions League berth by moving within two points of third-placed Lille with a 3-1 win at Nantes. The team finishing third qualifies for the preliminary round of the Champions League.
Saint-Etienne striker Mevlut Erding opened the scoring by nodding in a free-kick from Max-Alain Gradel in the 10th minute. The visitors took a 3-0 lead with a penalty from Gradel in the 23rd and a curling shot from Erding on the stroke of halftime. Nantes winger Serge Gakpe scored a late consolation.
Second-placed AS Monaco, already assured of a Champions League spot, beat relegated Valenciennes 2-1.
Fifth-placed Lyon had their lead over Olympique de Marseille cut to one point in the race for the last UEFA Europa League spot.
Lorient edged Lyon 1-0 with a low strike from midfielder Cheick Doukoure in the 53rd minute. Lyon went down to 10 men from the 13th minute when defender Mouhamadou Dabo was red-carded for tripping Bryan Pele.
“It’s a bad result, but we still have our fate in our hands,” Lyon coach Remi Garde said.
Marseille drew 1-1 at Girondins de Bordeaux.
Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou headed in a cross from Brice Djadjedje in the 31st minute, before Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabate equalized with a close-range effort in the 66th.
Coupe de France winners En Avant de Guingamp secured safety by beating midtable Toulouse 2-0.
Lowly Evian Thonon Gaillard and Sochaux-Montbeliard are the only teams still under the threat of relegation and will meet in the final round on Saturday.
“We have the luck to play this last match at home,” Sochaux coach Herve Renard said. “There will be a great atmosphere. It’s up to us to turn it into a beautiful day.”
Evian downed OGC Nice 2-0 to stay 17th, one point clear of Sochaux, who won 2-1 at Stade Rennais.
Last-placed AC Ajaccio stunned Stade de Reims 2-1, while SC Bastia beat Montpellier Herault 2-0.
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