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[monks data]
Nice
Ligue 1
Apr 18, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
PSG logo

1-3

Bodmer (45')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Pastore (39', 63'), Cavani (69' pen.)

Javier Pastore brace fires Paris Saint-Germain back to the top of Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain move above Lyon back to the summit of Ligue 1 as a brace from Javier Pastore fires them to a 3-1 victory over Nice.

A brace from Javier Pastore guided Paris Saint-Germain back to the top of Ligue 1 courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Nice this afternoon.

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Nice (OGC Nice) vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

The home side were the first to threaten as Eduardo raided forward from midfield to release the run of Alassane Plea, but his strike at goal was well blocked by David Luiz.

Nice pushed forward again and came within inches of taking the lead when Gregoire Puel's cross was deflected into the path of Said Benrahma, but the midfielder's strike curled just past the post.

PSG came to life when Lucas released the run of Pastore and the forward maintained his composure to fire a low effort into the bottom corner and hand his side the lead.

The home side rallied on the stroke of half time when Benrahama tried a speculative effort from distance, which hit Mathieu Bodmer in the box. The visitors appealed for offside, but the striker was played on by Luiz and was able to beat Salvatore Sirigu to level the scores.

In the second half, PSG nearly retook the lead when a clearance looped kindly to Luiz on the edge of the box, and the Brazilian fired an effort on the volley that was well saved by Simon Pouplin.

The home side threatened at the other end and only a smart save from Sirigu kept Eduardo's header out of the net, as the Italian tipped his effort past the post after the forward had beaten Luiz in the air.

Luiz continued his eventful afternoon as he was denied a goal by the woodwork after meeting a cross from the right with a bullet header.

However, PSG did retake the lead through Pastore, who juggled the ball past three Nice defenders in the penalty area before powering a volley at goal. Pouplin made the save to deny the midfielder, but he was the first to react to the rebound.

The visitors put the game beyond the reach of Nice when Edinson Cavani was brought down in the area by Jordan Amavi and a penalty was awarded. The striker took the spot kick himself and made no mistake to find the bottom corner.

Valentin Eysseric nearly capitalised on a mistake from Adrien Rabiot as he raided forward to curl an effort towards the top corner, but he was denied by Sirigu as Laurent Blanc's men held out for the victory.

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Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore runs with the ball during the football match between Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain on August 25, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG30209173264769
2MonacoMonaco30177656381858
3Brest30158744291553
4Lille301410643261752
5Nice3013983324948
6Lens30137103932746
7Rennes30119104436842
8Marseille30101194537841
9Lyon30125133949-1041
10Reims30117123741-440
11Toulouse30910113639-337
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier30910113842-436
13StrasbourgStrasbourg3099123341-836
14NantesNantes3094172848-2031
15Metz3085173149-1829
16Le HavreLe Havre30610142738-1128
17Lorient3068163659-2326
18Clermont30410162149-2822


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