Paris Saint-Germain restored a four-point lead atop Ligue 1 as they cruised to a 3-0 win over struggling Nantes.
A surprise home defeat to Lyon last weekend had seen PSG’s advantage over Lens cut to just a point, but they took full advantage of a midweek game in hand over the surprise title challengers.
A brace from the excellent Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, his goals coming either side of a superb Desire Doue finish, secured the points for PSG. Luis Enrique’s men head to Angers on Saturday a day after Lens visit Brest. Second-bottom Nantes are five points adrift of the relegation play-off place going into the Breton derby with Rennes.
PSG restore four-point cushion
PSG quickly took control of the game, moving the ball with their usual fluency in the final third. Their early pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Kvaratskhelia converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review spotted a handball inside the area.
The home side maintained their pressure, with Achraf Hakimi and Doue combining well down the right flank. That partnership produced the standout moment of the half in the 37th minute, when Hakimi slipped a pass into Doue, who finished brilliantly into the far corner to double PSG’s lead.
Despite PSG’s control, Nantes created several openings of their own. Matthis Abline was particularly active, registering multiple attempts, including a dangerous free-kick that forced a strong save from PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
The visitors also thought they had pulled a goal back midway through the half, only for their effort to be ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
PSG continued to threaten, with Ousmane Dembele going close to adding a third goal late in the half. Instead, he was the provider as it arrived five minutes into the second, his lay-off collected by Kvaratskhelia, who artfully danced into the box and past a defender before slotting home.
Kvaratskhelia then hit the crossbar with a close-range header before Fabian Ruiz’s effort from the edge of the area deflected onto the right-hand post. Bradley Barcola was denied by Anthony Lopes late on,
