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Ligue 1
Feb 8, 2013 at 7.30pm UK
 

3-1

Menez (56'), Ibrahimovic (71' pen.), Lavezzi (89')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Khazri (83')

Match Analysis: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Bastia

Match Analysis: PSG 3-1 Bastia
© AP Photos
Sports Mole takes a closer look at Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 victory over Bastia this evening.

Paris Saint-Germain welcomed Bastia to the Parc des Princes knowing that they could stretch their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to six points.

Les Parisiens had to wait until the second half before Jeremy Menez broke the deadlock, before further goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi saw the hosts run out 3-1 winners.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look to see if the result was fair.

Match statistics

PSG
Shots: 21
On Target: 5
Possession: 69%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 12

Bastia
Shots: 6
On Target: 1
Possession: 31%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

Yes. Les Parisiens were by far the better team, although they did have a few nervy moments towards the end.

PSG's performance

7/10. Carlo Ancelotti's men dominated the game for the opening 20 minutes, with Lucas Moura and Jeremy Menez very much the focal point of their attacking movement. However, their intensity seemed to die after that, as Bastia's midfield did a good job of closing down just in front of the backline. The home crowd were frustrated at the teams went in goalless at half time, but PSG regained full control shortly after the break. Menez grabbed the goal that put them in the lead, before a controversial penalty decision allowed substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic to double that lead. Still, there are question marks over PSG's defence, as a lapse in concentration nearly allowed Bastia back into the game late on. However, they should have been well out of sight long before that. It was a good performance, but there's definitely room for improvement.

Bastia's performance

6/10. Frederic Hantz's men did not let themselves down tonight. Yes, they came under heavy pressure for large parts of the game, but they created some opportunities. They were under siege for the first 20 minutes, but settled into the game afterwards. The midfield managed to restrict the space in which Menez and Lucas were allowed to operate to nullify the danger and get into half time level. It could only last for so long, but the goal that they conceded 10 minutes after the break took a deflection before squirting underneath the body of Mickael Landreau, while the second came by way of a penalty that should not have been. Wahbi Khazri's goal was, quite simply, stunning. He spotted Salvatore Sirigu off his line, expecting an incoming cross. The Italian then had to scramble as Khazri's shot dipped wickedly into the net from some distance. Anthony Modeste then had a chance when Florian Thauvin stood the ball up at the back post, but the striker squandered the chance to equalise with a poor header. There are positives to take from this performance, it should give them heart in their battle against relegation.

Referee's performance

The penalty decision for PSG's second goal was wrong. Julian Palmieri sent Lucas Moura tumbling just outside the area, but Said Enjimi pointed to the spot. Replays confirmed that the foul was indeed outside the area, so Bastia have every right to feel hard done by.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Jeremy Menez: The French winger was a constant menace to the Bastia defence, and he also got his name on the scoresheet with the vital opening goal.

Biggest gaffe: Kevin Gameiro should have burst the net when he latched onto Menez's off-target shot. He slid in at the back post with an empty net to aim at, but struck the foot of the post. He'll be kicking himself tonight.

What's next?

PSG: Les Parisiens make the trip to Sochaux next Sunday.

Bastia: Meanwhile, I Turchini play host to Nice next Saturday.

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Paris Saint Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring the opener on December 8, 2012
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG28189165244163
2Brest29158644271753
3MonacoMonaco28157653381552
4Lille281310542251749
5Nice2913883122947
6Lens29127103832643
7Lyon29125123845-741
8Reims29117113639-340
9Marseille2810994133839
10Rennes29109104136539
11Toulouse2999113437-336
12StrasbourgStrasbourg2999113340-736
13Montpellier HSCMontpellier29810113641-533
14NantesNantes2994162845-1731
15Le HavreLe Havre29610132737-1028
16Metz2975173049-1926
17Lorient2968153555-2026
18Clermont29410152148-2722


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