Paris Saint-Germain vs Troyes. French Ligue 1.
Parc des Princes.
Saturday 24 November 2012 18:55, UK
Paris St Germain got back to winning ways and the top of the Ligue 1 table after a 4-0 win over Troyes
Paris St Germain got back to winning ways and the top of the Ligue 1 table after what proved to be a relatively easy win over Troyes at the Parc des Princes. Maxwell gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half before Blaise Matuidi doubled their advantage with just over 20 minutes left. It was then left to star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to bag a brace and seal the win. The big spending Parisians were beaten 2-1 by Rennes at the same venue last week, but made a fast start as Matuidi forced Yoann Thuram into a good save after eight minutes. Two minutes later and they should have been in front but after he was played through by Marco Verratti, Ibrahimovic could not beat the visiting goalkeeper. The home fans however didn't have to wait much longer for the opener as Ibrahimovic played Maxwell in behind the Troyes back line with the Brazilian finishing from close range. Six minutes before the break Troyes could have been level as Jean-Christophe Bahebeck's volley from the edge of the area was saved by Salvatore Sirigu. Three minutes after the re-start Benjamin Nivet controlled and curled inches wide. Sadly for the visitors it seemed to wake up the hosts and just after the hour mark PSG doubled their advantage as Ibrahimovic played in Matuidi, who shot hard and low to beat Thuram. It was three in the 69th minute as the Swede was rewarded for his two assists, volleying home a Nene cross. Fabien Camus stung the gloves of Sirigu from 20 yards five minutes later before the PSG stopper was forced to make another decent stop to deny Mounir Obbadi. The Italian's goal was living a charmed life and the stopper had to make another impressive save to keep out Dos Santos Marcos' bicycle kick. With two minutes left Ibrahimovic grabbed his second after good work from winger Ezequiel Lavezzi to put PSG ahead of Lyon by a point, although Remi Garde's side have two games in hand.
