Does Barcelona's heavy defeat at Paris Saint-Germain spell the end of an era?

Gabriele Marcotti 

On Tuesday night, following their 4-0 Parc des Princes hammering at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, my colleague Michael Yokhin tweeted: "This is Barcelona's most important and resounding defeat since Milan in 1994." He was referring to the 1993-94 Champions League final, when Johan Cruyff's heavily favored "Dream Team" fell at the hands of Fabio Capello's depleted Milan side.

For those who don't remember, here's a bit of context.

Cruyff's Barca had won four straight La Liga titles and the 1991-92 Champions League. They captured the imagination with a star-studded lineup that included the likes of Ronald Koeman, Pep Guardiola, Hristo Stoichkov and Romario. But that game in Athens proved to be a turning point, perhaps achieving an out-sized importance because of the big stage. Marcel Desailly, a central defender deployed in midfield, disrupted Barca's schemes, starving the front men of their supply and physically dominating the likes of Guardiola and Jose Maria Bakero.

There was an obvious symbolism there. In the popular narrative where Cruyff had a creator in front of the back four, Capello had a destroyer. (It's a bit of a simplistic reading because his 4-4-2 also featured a classic deep playmaker like Demetrio Albertini, but then football's historic narratives often work best when they're dumbed down.)

After the game, Cruyff was no longer unassailable. Barcelona's next campaign was marked by simmering rows between Cruyff and club president Josep Nunez. Koeman, Stoichkov, Romario, Txiki Begiristain and Andoni Zubizarreta, five of the XI who had started against Milan, were all gone within 12 months. Cruyff stuck around another year, until the summer of 1996.

Obviously, his legacy lived on and in fact, it would manifest itself down the road in the changes he brought to the La Masia academy and the emergence of the Guardiola era. But there is little question that the 4-0 in Athens would prove to be a major turning point.

(At this stage, some may argue that another famous 4-0, the thumping at the hands of Jupp Heynckes' Bayern in the 2012-13 Champions League semifinal, was equally important. I don't think so. Barca were 13 points clear at the top of La Liga at the time. The defeat did not lead to a clear-out or a significant change in direction or a decline.)

So was Tuesday night some seminal turning point like the one in Athens 23 years ago? The arguments for a resounding "yes" are all there.

Barça waltz into semifinals

http://www.marca.com/en/2015/04/21/en/football/barcelona/1429649028.html

Barcelona waltzed into the Champions League semifinals with a 2-0 victory in their quarterfinal second leg over Paris Saint-Germainon Tuesday nightat the Camp Nou.

Neymar scored a first half brace to send the hosts on their way to a 5-1 victory on aggregate, thus sending the four-time European champions back to the Champions League semifinals after last year's absence.

Manager Luis Enrique took no risks with his starting XI by fielding his strongest possible squad with the usual trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar up top. In midfield it was Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic, while in the back goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen return to the fold and was shielded by Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba.

Any thoughts of a good start for the French champions were put to bed very early when Barcelona burst out to a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. It was all down to some genius playmaking from Iniesta, who started form his own half and knifed through nearly the entire PSG team before dishing to Neymar, who had an easy sweep into net to open the scoring.

Ten minutes later Barcelona had two very good looks at goal when Alves' long-range effort forced a deflection from PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu which gave Neymar a follow-up header, but the Brazilian was unable to convert. But in the 34th minute Neymar would launch a header goalward that was not going to be missed, as he was amazingly left unmarked between David Luiz and Gregory van der Wiel and easily nodded a header past Sirigu off an Alves cross to put Barcelona up 2-0 in the match and 5-1 on aggregate.

With the tie all but decided by halftime, the second half was simply a victory procession for the Catalonians, who were content to keep their defensive shape while playing their possession-based football.

Outside a Marco Verratti shot in the 59th minute that skipped wide and a 73rd minute shot from Zlatan Ibrahimovic that forced Ter Stegen to go low to save, the German stopper enjoyed a trouble-free evening.

Messi nearly put the icing on the cake with a shot in the final seconds, but his left-footed effort sailed just wide to complete the contest.

Barcelona will now return to La Liga action on Saturday as they face city rivals Espanyol.

Read more:Barça waltz into semifinals - MARCA.com (English version)

Zlatan fires PSG top with hat-trick against Lorient

Last update Yesterday at 23:17 - Published on 20/03/2015 at 23:17

Paris St Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic put his disciplinary woes aside on Friday, taking his side back to the top of Ligue 1 with a hat-trick in their 3-1 home victory over FC Lorient.

PSG's talisman was banned for one match by UEFA's Control & Disciplinary Body after being sent off during a Champions League last 16 match at Chelsea last week.

And he also faces French League's (LFP) disciplinary commission to explain derogatory remarks he made about refereeing after PSG's loss at Girondins Bordeaux last week.

However, he showed his good side as PSG moved a point clear of Olympique Lyon who play on Saturday.

After two minutes the pony-tailed Swede slotted a penalty after being up-ended by keeper Benjamin Lecomte up-ended him as he ran on to a long ball.

Lecomte received a yellow card for his challenge.

Ezequiel Lavezzi missed a sitter for PSG half an hour in.

A cheeky backheel from Ibramovic sent him clear on the edge of the box but he pushed the ball into the side netting for one of a series of missed opportunities for the league leaders.

Lorient equalised midway through the second half whenBenjamin Jeannot teed up a strike for Jordan Ayew.

Ayew had another shot cleared off the line a few minutes later, sparking the game into life with 15 minutes to go.

Ibrahimovic then showed his prowess from the spot again in the 82nd minute after Lamine Kone's foul on Javier Pastore.

He completed his hat-trick on full time.

Lyon, one point behind PSG on 58 points, are at home to Niceon Saturday while third-placed Marseille, on 54, travel to second-from-bottom RC Lens on Sunday.

Barcelona stars score in a 3-1 come from behind win over Paris Saint Germain

Barcelona finish top of their Champions League group for the eighth season in a row

Neymar scored a spectacular goal as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Paris St-Germain at the Nou Camp and finish top of Group F.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave PSG the lead with a low finish from 10 yards after being teed up by Blaise Matuidi.

But Barcelona equalised through Lionel Messi, his 75th goal in the competition coming after Luis Suarez's low cross.

Neymar's sublime 25-yard finish and Suarez's close-range effort sealed PSG's fate, but they still go through.

Neymar's goal was a wonderful effort, the Brazil striker bursting away from the PSG defence before producing a dipping, swerving shot from distance that flew past Salvatore Sirigu.

Then in the second half Sirigu parried Neymar's shot and former Liverpool star Suarez pounced to score his second goal since moving to Spain. The victory means Barcelona have finished top of their Champions League group for the eighth season in a row.

However, the French side missed several good chances and their profligacy resulted in their first Ligue 1 or Champions League defeat of the season. PSG striker Edinson Cavani also had a shot cleared off the line by Barcelona defender Marc Bartra.

"We have improved as a group a lot," said Uruguay striker Suarez."We know that together we can go places, and that's what we're doing."

Barcelona finish with 15 points from six games, two more than Paris-St Germain, who will be unseeded in next Monday's last-16 draw.

PSG head coach Laurent Blanc praised Barcelona's finishing.  "The best players don't need much to convert a tiny chance into a goal,'' he said. "That is what happened for Barcelona's first two goals.''

Paris Saint Germain dealt Barcelona its first loss in all competitions 3-2

BBC

Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season as Paris St-Germain moved top of Group F with a thrilling Champions League victory.

The visitors, who had not conceded all season before arriving at Parc des Princes, fell behind when former Chelsea defender David Luiz scored.

Lionel Messi grabbed an equaliser but Marco Verratti nodded in PSG's second.

Blaise Matuidi poked in a third and although Neymar reduced the deficit, Barcelona could not find an equaliser.

They pressed in the closing stages but found the PSG defence, led by the impressive Luiz, hard to break down.

Barcelona substitute Xavi Hernandez made Champions League history by coming on for his 143rd appearance in the competition - more than any other player.

Victory for the PSG, meanwhile, continued their unbeaten start to the season and means they are now top of their group with four points, one more than Barcelona.

Samuel Umtiti's late goal frustrates PSG versus Lyon 1-1

Umtiti celebrates goal with imaginary selfie

PSG drops points again after 1-1 draw with Lyon 

PARIS (AP) — Edinson Cavani continued his return to form while Zlatan Ibrahimovic's mini-slump extended to a third game without scoring as defending champion Paris Saint-Germain disappointed again, conceding a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at home to Lyon on Sunday to slip three points off the lead. 

Cavani put PSG ahead with a header in the 20th minute only for center half Samuel Umtiti to equalize with a deflected effort in the 84th as PSG drew for the fourth time in six league games. Once again, PSG was left clinging on at the end — just like when Laurent Blanc's team opened its Champions League campaign with a stuttering 1-1 draw away to Ajax. 

Like Ajax on Wednesday night, Lyon could have won it in the closing stages but midfielder Corentin Tolisso scooped the ball over from close range. Ibrahimovic hardly made an impact and spent large parts of the game arguing with the referee.

Earlier, midfielder Fabien Lemoine scored a late winner as Saint-Etienne won 1-0 at Lens to move level on points with Bordeaux and overall leader Marseille. The top three have 13 points, while Lille, which drew 0-0 at home to Montpellier, is one point behind them.

Blanc made several changes from the Ajax game. Serge Aurier and Lucas Digne came in at fullback and Ezequiel Lavezzi was restored to the left wing, with the ineffective Brazil winger Lucas dropping to the bench. Yohan Cabaye, replacing Thiago Motta in midfield, missed an early chance before Cavani rose to powerfully head in Digne's cross for his second goal in as many games after putting PSG ahead against Ajax.

Lyon almost equalized 10 minutes later when midfielder Arnold Mvuemba struck the bar with a fine free-kick. Lavezzi looked sharp and caused Lyon's defense problems with his speed and direct runs, but PSG looked vulnerable to a Lyon counter-attack and Blanc brought on Motta with 25 minutes remaining to strengthen his midfield. Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes saved late efforts from Motta and Ibrahimovic as PSG pushed for a second goal. PSG goalie Salvatore Sirigu denied Clinton Njie with a fine save. Moments later Lyon won a corner, Njie teed up Umtiti and his shot hit Aurier before wrong-footing Sirigu. 

Earlier, Lemoine started and finished a fine team move in the 82nd minute, slotting past goalkeeper Rudy Riou after running onto Ricky Van Wolfswinkel's pass. Ivory Coast winger Max-Alain Gradel missed a good chance to make it 2-0 shortly after. Lille missed the chance to go top after failing to break Montpellier's defense in a goalless draw. Marcos Lopes, Michael Frey and Jonathan Delaplace combined well in the 24th minute for Lille, only for the latter to miss his strike.

Montpellier goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren was forced into a good save soon after to deny Ryan Mendes' effort and Lopes failed to score from the rebound. 

Elsewhere, Monaco followed up its 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League midweek with a 1-0 win against Guingamp to climb out of the relegation zone. After goalkeeper Jonas Lossl had saved Joao Moutinho's free kick, winger Nabil Dirar pounced to fire home in the 38th. 

 Midfielders Bernardo Silva and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco missed other chances for Monaco, which moved up to 15th spot, while Guingamp dropped down to 19th.

Ruffier's howler set up Paris Saint Germain onslaught on St. Etienne 5-0

FIVE-STAR PARIS!

In their second home match of the season, Paris were far too strong for Saint-Etienne on Sunday, running out 5-0 winners at the Parc. A five-star performance with a stunning individual display from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, returning from injury and netting a hat-trick.

It was a highly-anticipated clash, with a European feel, and it ended with a Parisian master class! The main message to take from the evening: the French champions ended the month of August by flexing their might. Defensively, Paris kept a third consecutive clean sheet, thanks in large part to a spectacular Salvatore Sirigu (36', 82'). In midfield, the Italian duo Verratti and Motta monopolised the ball, while Pastore lit up the Parc with his skills. While in attack... Ibra's hat-trick (41', 63', 72'), and a superb Cavani strike (65') showcased the pairs class! Rarely troubled by a Saint-Etienne side feeling the effects of their Europa League joust on Thursday, the capital club fulfilled their objectives in the second home match of the season: turn on the style for their adoring public; send a serious message to the rest of the Ligue 1: this side is ready to move back to the top of the standings! After just four games, Bordeaux are just two points clear. Now Les Rouge et Bleu must go on with the job away to Rennes in two weeks' time.

In recent years, the Saint-Etienne goalkeeper has shown against Paris that he is one of the best in the land. Three days after his penalty shoot-out heroics sent ASSE into the group stage of the Champions League, the 'keeper endured a difficult night. It all started in the 24th minute, with a back pass from Clément that the France international miss-controlled and let run into his own net (24'). It was the moment that marked the beginning of the Parisian onslaught.

We were waiting for his comeback and it was... impressive, to say the least! In his very physical battle with the Stéphanois Mustapha Sall, the Swedish giant won by a knockout! He opened his account with a powerful header just before the break (41'), before adding two more goals as he raced clear of the Verts' defence. One-on-one with Zlatan, the sanction is always the same… Ruffier and his defence found out first hand (63', 72'). Zlatan received an ovation, in accordance with his performance - magnificent (74'). With 5 goals after 4 Ligue 1 matches, the number 10 is already top of the goal-scoring charts. Zlatan left the field, with the match ball for the sixth time.

Paris St. Germain held to a draw by Evian Thonon Gaillard 0-0

Edinson Cavani 

The National 

Paris Saint-Germain once again came unstuck against their bete noire Evian on Friday, being forced to settle for a 0-0 draw after having Yohan Cabaye sent off in their Ligue 1 clash in Annecy.

Evian have caused problems for PSG at their Parc des Sports in the recent past, knocking the capital club out of the Coupe de France (French Cup) at the quarter-final stage in 2012/13 and then winning 2-0 last December after Paris had gone 26 games unbeaten.

Nevertheless, the Alpine outfit had lost their opening two matches of this campaign, conceding nine goals in the process, including in a 6-2 thumping at Rennes last week.

But they defended doggedly to hold the champions, who were missing talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and captain Thiago Silva due to injury and have won just one of their opening three league matches after drawing 2-2 at Reims a fortnight ago.

“In other situations there is no doubt we will manage to break teams down. They defended well. It was a reassuring result for them,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc told beIN Sports, before insisting that he was not worried by his team’s failure to win the game.

“No, not at all. The only problem is when you are unable to cause enough problems to Evian with 11 men and then you find yourselves down to 10.

“Honestly I think that given the way the game went we didn’t do enough to take three points. We leave with mixed feelings. We expected to have difficulties at the start of the season, especially in August, but I don’t think there is any reason to worry.

“We had a competitive enough team to win this match,” he added, despite the absences of Ibrahimovic, Silva and Gregory Van der Wiel. “But we created too few chances to win the game.”

Blanc gave first starts of the season to French international pair Cabaye and Blaise Matuidi, with Thiago Motta only on the bench after a headbutt from Brandao at the end of last week’s 2-0 win against Bastia left him with a fractured nose.

Without Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani was given the opportunity to play in his favoured role of central striker, and he had the best chances for the visitors.

Paris Saint Germain earned a 2-0 victroy over Bastia in headbutt marred game

Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring PSG's second goal

Daily Mirror

Zlatan Ibrahimovic lasted just 15 minutes in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 win over Bastia.  News of the Swedish striker's injury will come as a major blow to manager Laurent Blanc as the French outfit have already lost captain Thiago Silva to a hamstring injury.  Ibrahimovic's new team-mate David Luiz helped his side claim all three points against Bastia as the former Chelsea defender was part of a back four which kept a clean sheet at Parc des Princes.

Luiz was previously mocked - most notably by Gary Neville - for his defensive play however the 27-year-old formed a solid partnership with his fellow countryman Marquinhos.

Yet another Brazilian made the headlines as Lucas grabbed the opener after just 26 minutes before Edinson Cavani doubled his side's lead.

Luiz will be hoping he can prove his doubters wrong this season by forming a solid partnership with Silva.

The former Benfica star, who is the world's most expensive defender, was allowed to leave Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho was not too keen on playing Luiz at centre-back. 

Chelsea boss Mourinho said earlier this month that his side will be going into the new season better off without the services of Luiz. 

Champion's League: Demba Ba's late heroics sends Chelsea to the semis past Paris Saint Germain 2-0 (3-3 aggregate)

SB Nation 

Chelsea scraped past a surprisingly awful Paris Saint-Germain thanks to a late winner from Demba Ba, successfully completing their comeback from a first leg defeat. Chelsea pulled off their comeback thanks to a late goal from Demba Ba to get past a lacklustre Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge.

André Schurrle, only on the pitch due to an injury toEden Hazard, fired Chelsea into a first-half lead before Ba scored the decisive goal just a few minutes after Edinson Cavani missed a golden chance for the visitors.

Chelsea enjoyed a couple of half-chances, notably through Samuel Eto'o who saw an effort deflected wide. PSG showed the danger of their pacy front three on the counter. Ezequiel Lavezzi broke away from his markers to go on a fine run to set Lucas Moura free, but the Brazilian could not quite find Cavani in the area.

Chelsea suffered a huge blow to their chances in the tie -- and perhaps the Premier League -- when Hazard limped off after just 17 minutes with a mysterious injury. The incident proved significant because his replacement, Schurrle, went on to have a big influence in the rest of the game.

Chelsea came close to taking the lead, despite not looking particularly threatening, when Frank Lampard's free-kick was almost deflected in. The midfielder could only thump his set-piece into the wall, but Stephane Sirigu had to react with lightning speed as the ball arrowed towards the opposite corner.

Chelsea soon did have their goal, however, courtesy of a Branislav Ivanovic long throw and some appalling marking from the visitors. David Luiz flicked on the Serbian's launched ball and Schurrle was in an ocean of space to turn and fire past Sirigu from close range.

PSG then seemed to suffer another setback when Thiago Silva went down after a collision with Eto'o,  but the Brazilian soldiered on for the rest of the half despite a stretcher being brought on. The Parisians were perhaps slightly fortunate to avoid further calamity when Verratti, already on a yellow card, escaped with a questionable penalty claim after he collided with Schurrle in the area.

PSG made it to halftime, but still looked distinctly second-best and a shadow of their usual selves in the second half. They remained ahead afterwards only by the finest of margins after a counterattack led to a ferocious Schurrle effort striking the bar. Oscar did the same from a free-kick just a minute later.

Laurent Blanc reacted by withdrawing the disappointing and increasingly erratic Verratti for Yohan Cabaye, which seemed to momentarily improve PSG's control of the game. José Mourinho, with time ticking away for Chelsea, opted for an attacking substitution by replacing Lampard with Ba, and Blanc followed suit, sending on Javier Pastore for Lavezzi.

As the end of the game approached, Chelsea narrowly avoided a knockout blow when the substitute Cabaye picked out Cavani's run, but the Uruguayan, again having a poor match after a dire showing in the first leg, blazed over with plenty at which to aim.

Chelsea were looking increasingly unlikely to get anything out of the game, yet with just a few minutes of normal time remaining, Ba -- one of three strikers Mourinho had sent on -- found a way through, turning in a deflected effort during a scrappy attack on the visitors' goal and sending Stamford Bridge wild with delight. PSG had little time to find a goal, and Marquinhos had the only real chance from a corner, but Petr Cech made a fine save to keep Chelsea's lead until the final whistle.

It was not pretty, and PSG were surprisingly awful, but Mourinho's team nonetheless overcame a difficult first-leg scoreline to book their place in the semifinals. Over to you,David Moyes.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Lampard (Ba 66'), Willian, Oscar (Torres 81'), Hazard (Schurrle 18'), Eto'o.

Goals: Schurrle 32', Ba 87'.

Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu, Jallet, Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Verratti (Cabaye 55'), Thiago Motta, Matuidi, Lucas Moura (Marquinhos 84'), Cavani, Lavezzi (Pastore 73').

Champion's League: PSG upsets Chelsea 3-1

PSG players celebrate after Pastore goal

UK Yahoo Sports

Javier Pastore struck in stoppage time to give Paris Saint-Germain a 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Parc de Princes in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Jose Mourinho's side made a sluggish start to the evening, and found themselves a goal down on three minutes when captain John Terry's headed clearance went straight to Ezequiel Lavezzi, who controlled the loose ball before hammering a volley high into the net from 12 yards with Petr Cech well beaten.

Chelsea restored parity on 27 minutes when Oscar was bundled to the deck clumsily by Thiago Silva. Eden Hazard stepped up to slide the ball into the net as Salvatore Sirigu heading in the opposite direction.

Chelsea's lack of a recognised striker - Mourinho started with Andre Schuerrle rather then Fernando Torres up front - caught up with the 2012 winners in the second half as David Luiz felled Blaise Matuidi out wide. That led to a wicked Lavezzi free-kick that eluded Cech and ricocheted into the net off the shins of the helpless Luiz.

PSG lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a hamstring strain midway through the second period, but they were not finished for the night as £37 million signing from Palermo Pastore - on for Lavezzi with five minutes remaining - somehow ghosted into the visiting box from out wide, evading three players before sending a shot spinning under Cech, who was slow to go down at his near post.

It was an awful piece of defending, later described as "ridiculous" by Mourinho, and leaves Chelsea with a vast amount of work to be done in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday.

Paris Saint Germain firms grip on French Ligue title beat Bastia 3-0

sokkaa.com

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi scored as Paris Saint-Germain strengthened their lead at the top of Ligue 1 after recording a 3-0 victory over Bastia on Saturday to increase the lead over second-placed Monaco looking healthy.

The Former Milan striker headed in Lucas Moura’s  cross to give the capital club an early lead just after six minutes with a goal that brought up PSG’s century and marked his 38th of the season in all competition.

Ezequiel Lavezzi smashed in the second in the 19th minute when Ibrahimovic  produced an acrobatic back-heel which saw the ball land in Lavezzi’s path and the former Napoli man finished well from 18 yards, under the Bastia keeper.

The Parisiens  were able to cruise through the remainder of the match but still managed to add a third through Lavezzi late on as they edged ever closer to a second successive league crown.

Blanc’s men are eight points clear of second-placed Monaco, who kept pace with a 2-1 home win against relegation battlers Sochaux while Bastia played four straight league games without a win.

Paris Saint Germain tames Olympique Marseillle 2-0

UK Eurosport

Paris Saint-Germain gained a comfortable 2-0 win over rivals Marseille as Maxwell and the returning Edinson Cavani got the goals at Parc des Princes. 

Momentous return of Edinson Cavani

The game got off to an explosive start as both sides started on the front foot and produced an end-to-end spectacle. Ezequiel Lavezzi had a huge chance early on as he was sent past a static Marseille backline, but after rounding Steve Mandanda, the Argentine somehow missed an open goal, managing to shoot far enough wide of the post but not close enough for the lurking Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make amends.

Marseille were looking shaky in defence, and it was exploited in sensational style as Lucas Moura almost scored one of the goals of the season. The Brazilian picked up the ball deep in his own half before charging through the centre of the pitch at breakneck speed, beating four men before coolly dinking the ball over the advancing Mandanda - only for Rod Fanni to cover back and clear off the line.

Marseille went close themselves, with Mathieu Valbuena forcing Sirigu into a fine save with a curling effort to the far corner, but PSG remained on top and wasted another chance late in the opening period. Lavezzi did well to get down the right once again and provided Ibrahimovic with a fine cross, but the Swede nodded wide with a free header.

PSG didn't take long after half-time to put themselves ahead, however - Ibrahimovic found Maxwell in the Marseille area and the former Barcelona man made no mistake, sidefooting confidently past Mandanda to put his side in the lead.

PSG opted to sit deeper after their goal, and Marseille simply couldn't find any meaningful way of creating a chance against them. The hosts then duly spurned several opportunities from counter-attacks - Lucas Moura twice shot wide after getting down the right channel, and Matuidi also ballooned an effort over the bar after a fine pass from Verratti.

Cavani was then introduced after a month-long absence, and the Uruguayan didn't take long to make his presence known. Gregory van der Wiel did well to get down the right and send in a fine cross which Cavani fired home with a bullet header, ending any hopes of a comeback for the visitors.

That was the final nail in the coffin for Marseille, who after a scrappy opening period failed to really threaten Sirigu's goal for most of the evening. Valbuena had another opportunity to score a consolation late on, but once again Sirigu was there to keep him out and ensure another clean sheet and another clean points for Paris Saint-Germain. Laurent Blanc's men will now be clear favourites to take the Ligue 1 title, while Marseille's Champions League push has suffered a setback.

Ibrahimovic hat trick secures Paris Saint Germain win over Toulouse 4-1

Ibrahimovic mobbed by teammates after scoring a header

The Daily Mail UK 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a hat-trick as his sensational form this season continues. The big Swede was almost left with egg on his face, however. His chipped last-minute 'panenka' penalty - for what would have been his third goal - was saved, but the striker reacted quickest to poke home the rebound and make it 37 goals this term. The win means PSG maintain a five-point lead ahead of Monaco at the top of Ligue 1.

PSG took the lead in the 33rd minute when Serbian defender Uros Spajic brought down Lavezzi, and Ibrahimovic drilled his spot kick down the middle. They should have scored again in the 43rd when Ibrahimovic crossed from the left and center back Thiago Silva failed to hit the target as he lunged in at the far post.  A minute later, Toulouse punished PSG for that miss when Wassim Ben Yedder volleyed in a cross from midfielder Etienne Didot. But PSG regained the lead in the 56th when Ibrahimovic again crossed from the left, midfielder Blaise Matuidi let the ball run and Lavezzi finished with a first-time shot.

Ibrahimovic then seemed to have put the result beyond doubt, heading in substitute Yohan Cabaye's free-kick after the impressive Lavezzi had been fouled, but sloppy play let Toulouse back into the game three minutes later.  After PSG midfielder Thiago Motta went to challenge forward Martin Braithwate, the ball bounced into the penalty area and Ben Yedder beat goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu with a calm finish. Ibrahimovic then got lucky with his spot kick in the final minute.

He now has 22 league goals this season and is closing in on his career-best mark of 30, which he set last season. Monaco had cut the deficit on the league-leaders with a 3-2 win over Stade Reims on Friday.

Ligue 1: Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco play to a draw

PSG Wall (L-R: Cavani, Thiago Motta, Ibrahimovic, Blaise Matuidi)

No one got the advantage in the meeting of the French Ligue giants in the current season.  Paris Saint Germain and A.S. Monaco played to a draw in Parc de Princes. 

PSG and Monaco got media attention for their aggressive buying spree in the pre season.  PSG got a new look with the acquisition of Napoli forward Edinson Cavani. His transfer reunited him with his Napoli team mate Exequiel Lavezzi who joined the club a year earlier.  Monaco on the other hand, acquired Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao together with Eric Abidal from Barcelona and Ricardo Cavalho from Real Madrid. 

True to their billing, PSG strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AS Monaco's Radamel Falcao scored the only goals in the evening.  Ibrahimovic meet the cross from former Barcelona man, Maxwell with a flying kick that slotted the ball to the net in just 5 minutes into the game to the delight of the hometown crowd. 

Radamel Falcao responded 15 minutes later in the 20th minute. Joao Moutinho's corner was blocked but he got the rebound curled a pass to the center.  Both Lydin Kurzawa and Radamel Falcao made a touch but it was Falcao's diving header that mattered as it was the last touch before the ball find the back of the net.  

That was however the last time the ball went inside the net.  Both teams have several opportunities to score but was short.  Paris Saint Germain however got the best opportunities in the game when Ibrahimovic missed a close range shot from a cross by Exequiel Lavezzi in the 52nd minute and Edinson Cavani's glancing header was off target in the 92nd minute.