Layvin Kurzawa's first goal for Paris Saint-Germain has given the Ligue 1 champions a 1-0 half-time lead over Saint-Etienne this evening.
The hosts started the game brightly, and could have opened the scoring after just six minutes when veteran midfielder Thiago Motta headed wide from an Angel di Maria corner, before PSG's record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic tested Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier with an effort from inside the area.
Saint-Etienne almost found the opener through Valentin Eysseric, as the midfielder fired narrowly wide from distance, before Edinson Cavani missed the target from a corner.
PSG took the lead on 23 minutes through left-back Kurzawa, who skipped past Francois Clerc on the left flank before producing a clinical finish past Ruffier.
Loic Perrin almost found an immediate response for the visitors, as the French international stung the palms of PSG keeper Kevin Trapp with a vicious strike from outside the penalty box.
The hosts came close to doubling their lead as Ruffier kept out a curling effort from Di Maria, before the French international produced a good reaction save to stop Cavani, after Ibrahimovic had found the Uruguayan inside the box.
Ibrahimovic missed a good opportunity to double his side's lead on the stroke of half time, as Di Maria found the striker with an inviting right-wing cross, but the former Barcelona man headed over the bar.
Stephen Topping
