MX23RW : Monday, April 29 23:06:06| >> :60:216:216:
[monks data]
Saint-Etienne
Ligue 1
Jan 31, 2016 at 8pm UK
 
PSG logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Ibrahimovic (62', 92')

Zlatan Ibrahimovic fires Paris Saint-Germain 24 points clear

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores twice to extend PSG's lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 24 points with a 2-0 victory over Saint-Etienne.

Paris Saint-Germain have picked up their 14th consecutive victory in all competitions courtesy of a 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard this evening.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals for the French champions to send them 24 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 having dropped only six points from a possible 69 all season.

PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic does his best impression of a Picasso painting after scoring in the 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne on Jan 31, 2016© Getty Images

The visitors almost found themselves behind inside three minutes, however, as a breakdown in communications between Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta allowed Kevin Monnet-Paquet to race through on goal, but Kevin Trapp was there to thwart the forward.

Ibrahimovic had his first sight of goal shortly afterwards when he fired an effort over the crossbar, but Trapp was the busier of the two keepers in a lively opening and was once again called into action to deny Kevin Malcuit and Franck Tabanou in quick succession.

Jean Christophe Bahebeck, playing against his parent club, was the next to threaten for the hosts when he fired narrowly over, before being denied another clear opportunity by Matuidi's last-gasp challenge.

Having struggled to create much themselves, the runaway league leaders almost nipped in front when Lucas Moura latched on to Ibrahimovic's back-heel, but Moustapha Bayal Sall was there to make an important block.

Bayal Sall had a chance of his own at the other end right on the stroke of half time when Tabanou's free kick went all the way through to the back post, but the defender couldn't get enough on his effort to steer it goalwards.

Angel Di Maria complains about a foul during PSG's 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne on January 31, 2016© Getty Images

Saint-Etienne continued to look the more likely at the start of the second half too, with Tabanou and Monnet-Paquet coming close, but their profligacy would soon come back to haunt them when PSG took the lead.

Ibrahimovic got his first of the evening shortly after the hour mark, stealing in between the two centre-backs to latch on to Serge Aurier's cross and slam the ball home.

That goal appeared to take the wind out of the hosts' sails, with only an Alexander Soderlund header coming close before the final minute of normal time, when Trapp kept out Jeremy Clement's half-volley to keep his side in the lead.

The late goal would go the way of the visitors, however, as Angel di Maria's poor initial shot was dragged into the path of Ibrahimovic, who doubled his personal tally to make it seven straight Ligue 1 wins for the capital outfit.

The defeat leaves Saint-Etienne still eighth in the table, while PSG are now unbeaten in their last 32 league matches.

ID:265402: cacheID:265402:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6157:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Swansea player Franck Tabanou in action during the Pre season friendly match between Swansea City and Deportivo La Coruna at Liberty Stadium on August 1, 2015
Read Next:
Tabanou heads back to Saint-Etienne
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CParis Saint-GermainPSG312010176294770
2MonacoMonaco31177758411758
3Brest31168749331656
4Lille311510645271855
5Nice31149836251151
6Lens31137114034646
7Marseille31111194738944
8Lyon31135134251-944
9Rennes31119114841742
10Toulouse311010113840-240
11Reims31117133845-740
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier31911113943-437
13StrasbourgStrasbourg3199133444-1036
14NantesNantes3195172949-2032
15Le HavreLe Havre31611143041-1129
16Metz3185183251-1929
17Lorient3168173761-2426
18Clermont31510162550-2525


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!