PSG secure victory over Strasbourg despite Hakimi dismissal to reclaim Ligue 1 summit
Nuno Mendes netted a crucial late goal to help Paris Saint-Germain overcome the dismissal of Achraf Hakimi in the second half and defeat Strasbourg 2-1 on Sunday, thus regaining the top position in Ligue 1.
The match in Alsace was full of tension, with PSG keeper Matvei Safonov denying Joaquin Paniechelli's initial penalty for Strasbourg, followed by Senny Mayulu putting the away side ahead.
Guela Doue, the older sibling of PSG's Desire, restored parity for the hosts just before the 30-minute mark, yet Portugal's left-back Mendes rose to head in the decisive strike for the current French and European title holders in the 81st minute.
Luis Enrique's squad found themselves down to 10 players from the 74th minute when Morocco's Hakimi received his marching orders for a reckless challenge on Paniechelli, starting with a yellow that VAR review escalated to a red.
After failing to advance directly to the Champions League knockout stage midweek due to a 1-1 stalemate against Newcastle United, PSG recovered strongly to extend their Ligue 1 winning streak to six games.
This result positions them two points ahead of Lens at the league summit, with Lens having edged Le Havre 1-0 the previous Friday.
"We were lucky to come out on top in this fixture when many would have deemed it unachievable," remarked Luis Enrique.
"It was not our finest display. Ultimately I am unsure if we merited the win but it held great significance."
The loss marked Strasbourg's first setback in four outings under their new English manager Gary O'Neil, who took over last month following Liam Rosenior's departure to Chelsea.
They hold seventh place yet sit just two points behind Lille in fifth.
A VAR intervention led to a penalty for Strasbourg after PSG skipper Marquinhos handled a shot by blocking it with his arm.
Safonov however plunged to his right to thwart the effort from Argentine forward Paniechelli.
"He stands as the finest penalty stopper I have coached," Luis Enrique commented on the Russian custodian.
Mayulu soon poked home to give PSG the edge, but Doue converted a superb team effort by slotting past the keeper from Ben Chilwell's delivery to level scores.
Strasbourg likely anticipated exploiting their numerical advantage after Hakimi's ejection in his return Ligue 1 start after three months sidelined, but Mendes connected with Warren Zaire-Emery's delivery to clinch the spoils for Paris.
"I feel immense pride in the squad yet deep frustration that we contrived to drop points, as I believed we shone and generated superior opportunities," stated O'Neil.
"Plenty of sides merely absorb pressure against PSG but we competed throughout, which instils confidence for future challenges."
Lyon extend streak to 10
In other action, Lyon maintained their impressive momentum by edging Lille 1-0, achieving 10 consecutive triumphs across all tournaments and enhancing their prospects for Champions League involvement.
Danish playmaker Noah Nartey claimed the solitary strike towards the end of the first period, marking his debut goal since joining from Brondby last month at age 20.
The outfit with seven French titles has triumphed in every fixture since their early December reverse at Lorient, encompassing five straight Ligue 1 successes.
This surge has enabled Paulo Fonseca's team, further energised by Brazil forward Endrick's loan arrival from Real Madrid, to solidify fourth spot, securing entry to next term's Champions League playoffs.
On 39 points, Lyon match Marseille's tally in third but lag on goal difference, leading Lille by seven after the latter's sixth defeat in seven outings this year.
Marseille, ousted from the Champions League midweek, relinquished a two-goal advantage to end 2-2 against Paris FC on Saturday, trailing PSG by nine points alongside Lyon.
Additional Sunday outcomes included Nice rallying from two goals behind to share the spoils 2-2 with Brest, Toulouse and Auxerre tying goalless, and Angers overcoming basement dwellers Metz 1-0. Monaco topped the weekend performers with a 4-0 thrashing of Rennes on Saturday.