Paris Saint-Germain have moved three points clear at the top of Ligue 1 as goals from Marco Verratti, Edinson Cavani and Gregory van der Wiel gave them a 3-1 win over Metz at the Parc des Princes.

© Getty Images

After a largely quiet opening period, the reigning champions snatched the lead through Verratti, who collected Javier Pastore's pass and curled a low effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area on 25 minutes.

Verratti's smart pass to Van der Wiel then gave the Dutch defender the chance to lay on a golden opportunity for Lucas Digne at the far post, but the right-back overhit his pass allowing Anthony Mfa Meuzi to clear the danger.

However, the hosts didn't have to wait long for their second as another pass from the impressive Pastore found the run of Cavani, who surged into the box and dinked a over Mfa Meuzi for his 12th goal of the season.

Bouna Sarr lashed an effort narrowly over the top of goal just seconds after the restart as Metz searched for a way to get back into the game.

That breakthrough came when Sarr's right-wing cross was emphatically headed home from six yards by Modibo Maiga on 53 minutes.

The visitors, who have the worst away record in Ligue 1, should have then drawn level when Maiga picked out Florent Malouda, but the former Chelsea man could only direct his effort tamely at Nicolas Douchez.

Laurent Blanc's side punished the visitors' wastefulness when Van der Wiel fired home from a tight angle late on, though Mfa Meuzi should have done better with the shot as he allowed the ball to squirm under his body and into the back of the net.

The result lifts Paris Saint-Germain back above title rivals Lyon with four games of the season to go.