Paris Saint-Germain moved eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1 courtesy of a 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne this evening.
It was the visitors who were the first to threaten when Franck Tabanou let fly from 25 yards after good work from Benoit Tremoulinas, but Salvatore Sirigu was equal to the effort and made a good stop.
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PSG went straight up the other end and broke the deadlock just a minute later as Zlatan Ibrahimovic poked the ball home after Blaise Matuidi's deflected shot had fallen kindly for him.
Ibrahimovic came close twice in quick succession just before the half-hour mark, first sending a free kick narrowly wide before somehow failing to convert Ezequiel Lavezzi's dangerous cross.
The hosts continued to threaten for a second goal, coming close through Edinson Cavani, Yohan Cabaye and Ibrahimovic in quick succession.
They did eventually extended their advantage with just four minutes to go until half time when Ibrahimovic skilfully flicked Cavani's cross over the keeper for his 25th goal of the season.
The visitors came close to pulling a goal back just three minutes after the restart when Yohan Mollo's effort was well saved by Sirigu, while Benjamin Corgnet sent the rebound into the side-netting.
Mollo turned provider just before the hour mark as his free kick picked out an unmarked Josua Guilavogui inside the six-yard box, but he put his header over the bar.
Saint-Etienne tested Sirigu again shortly afterwards, and once more it was Mollo with the effort, drawing a fine fingertip stop from the PSG keeper.
Ibrahimovic almost completed his hat-trick with just four minutes left when he drilled a powerful low effort towards the bottom corner, but Stephane Ruffier reacted well to make a smart stop.
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