Ligue 1 review: Paris St Germain on the rise

 

Paris St Germain's resurgence continued apace as the big-spending capital club swept Bastia aside 4-0 in a one-sided encounter at Stade Armand Cesari.

After opening the Ligue 1 season with three straight draws, PSG have now won three on the spin to muscle their way into the top three.

A brace by Zlatan Ibrahimovic allied to efforts by Jeremy Menez and Blaise Matuidi secured all the points for Carlo Ancelotti's men, as promoted Bastia slipped to their fourth league defeat on the trot.

Toulouse rescued a point in extraordinary fashion as goalkeeper Ali Ahamada scored a 94th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Rennes.

The away side led twice through Jonathan Pitroipa (eight) and Mevlut Erding (64), with Wissam Ben Yedder having initially equalised on 22 minutes.

But just when an away win seemed certain, Ahamada went forward for a last-gasp free-kick and powered in a header to send the home fans into a frenzy.

Promoted Reims continued their solid start by inflicting a 2-0 defeat on Nancy.

Gaetan Courtet opened the scoring after seven minutes and Diego Rigonato put the game beyond Nancy by converting a penalty on the hour against the run of play to lift the top-flight newcomers to fifth spot.

Troyes' winless start continued as Sochaux condemned the promoted side to their fourth defeat in six outings following their return to the top flight.

Sebastien Roudet, Thierry Doubai and Cedric Bakambu were on target for Sochaux, who climb out of the relegation zone thanks to the 3-1 win.

Julien Faussurier struck Troyes' consolation in the first half, but the dismissal of Jean Christophe Bahrebeck for an ugly challenge on Sebastien Corchia in the 56th minute was a setback from which the rock-bottom visitors were unable to recover.

Elsewhere, Brest moved up to eighth after coming from behind to beat 10-man Valenciennes 2-1.

The away side took the lead through Mathieu Dossevi after 10 minutes and it took until the hour mark for Brest to get back on level terms through Jonathan Ayite.

Eden Ben Basat then put Brest in front from the spot after Brazilian defender Gil was sent off for conceding the penalty, while Valenciennes were denied a last-minute equaliser by the post in a thrilling finish.

Ten-man Lorient left it late to secure a 1-1 draw against Nice.

The visitors led for much of the match through Camel Meriem's first-half goal and the dismissal of Gregory Bourillon did little to ease Lorient's nerves.

But substitute Kevin Monnet-Paquet brought the home crowd to their feet in the final minute with his equaliser.

PA

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