Paris Saint-Germain have extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 10 points with a 1-0 victory at Troyes.
The away side were far from their best, but did enough to overcome the team who are bottom of the table.
It didn't take long for PSG to create the game's first chance. Marco Verratti released Kevin Gameiro within five minutes, but the striker's shot was straight at Yohann Thuram.
Troyes responded well, counter-attacking quickly to release Stephane Darbion. The midfielder sent a powerful, dipping shot towards goal but it was well-saved by Salvatore Sirigu.
The match continued in end-to-end fashion, with Thuram denying Lucas Moura before Sirigu again saved well, this time from Benjamin Nivet.
It was Troyes who continued to create the better chances in the first half but the teams went in goalless at the break.
In the second half the away side started to press higher up the pitch, forcing mistakes out of their opponents which allowed the likes of Gameiro and Blaise Matuidi to create chances, altough neither was able capitalise.
Around the hour mark, just as the game was becoming a little scrappy, PSG took the lead. Gregory van der Wiel played the ball through for Matuidi to run on to and finish well.
There were few other chances in the game, a couple of long-range Javier Pastore efforts aside, and the match finished 1-0.
Daniel Cross
