Zlatan Ibrahimovic's second-half penalty earned Paris Saint-Germain a slender 1-0 away victory over Saint-Etienne at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard this evening.
The win has ensured that Laurent Blanc's men now find themselves back level on points with second-placed Marseille in the Ligue 1 standings.
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In a tame opening gambit, the only efforts worthy of note were launched from distance, as both Maxwell and Yohan Mollo sought to test the keepers at either end.
Ibrahimovic thought he was in just before the half-time whistle, but his shot was blocked on its way to goal as the sides went into the interval on level terms.
Etienne came out of the traps quickest in the second period and they almost went in front through Mevlut Erding, who looked to profit from Mollo's cross, but he headed straight at Salvatore Sirigu.
The Parisians soon kicked themselves beyond first gear when Thiago Silva climbed highest from a Lucas Moura corner, only to see his headed effort creep over the hosts' crossbar.
Jeremy Clement was at fault moments later in the 59th minute when he handled inside his own area, allowing a quiet Ibrahimovic to step up and slot his side in front.
Edinson Cavani thought he had put the three points beyond doubt with just under 20 minutes to play, although the crossbar had other ideas as it kept out his rasping effort.
Despite not firing at their best, PSG produced some good defending in the final few minutes to see off Allan Saint-Maximin's effort and close out a much-needed victory on the road.
Christopher Dodd
