Sports
Report, result and goals as champions go top
Paris Saint-Germain picked up a crucial 1-0 win over Auxerre to move top of Ligue 1 on Friday night, with Bradley Barcola netting the all-important goal on the night.
PSG dominated possession from the opening exchanges and immediately set the tempo. Within the first five minutes, Barcola was played through twice, forcing Auxerre goalkeeper Leon into sharp interventions.
On the first occasion, Leon rushed off his line to narrow the angle, before quickly recovering to deny Barcola again from a tight position moments later.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was central to PSG’s early pressure, repeatedly finding space on the right. In the 10th minute, his slaloming run appeared to leave him with an open sight of goal, only for Sinaly Diomande to recover and block the effort with a well-timed challenge.
Auxerre struggled to get a foothold in possession, with PSG enjoying close to 80 percent of the ball inside the opening 20 minutes.
Despite their territorial advantage, PSG found it difficult to convert pressure into clear chances. Goncalo Ramos came closest midway through the half, meeting Kvaratskhelia’s corner with a firm header, but Leon again reacted quickly to push the ball away.
The Auxerre goalkeeper continued to frustrate the visitors, producing a remarkable double save in the 38th minute to keep out two close-range efforts in a crowded penalty area.
Auxerre’s attacking threat was limited, though they did have moments of promise.
Lassine Sinayoko drilled a dangerous low cross across the six-yard box in the 24th minute, but it evaded Danny Namaso at the far post. It would prove to be one of the hosts’ few opportunities.
The second half followed a similar rhythm, with PSG controlling possession and Auxerre waiting for transitions. Namaso tested PSG’s resolve shortly after the restart with a strike from distance that cleared the crossbar, while Barcola dragged an effort wide after leading a counterattack at pace.
Luis Enrique responded by introducing Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue just past the hour mark, looking to add more penetration against a tiring defence.
Dembele made an immediate impact, sliding Barcola through on goal in the 64th minute, though his attempted chip landed on the roof of the net.
Auxerre grew more ambitious as the half wore on, committing more bodies forward and winning a series of corners. However, they failed to register a single save from Lucas Chevalier, underlining the lack of end product despite their increased intent.
The decisive moment came in the 79th minute, and it arrived from an Auxerre corner. PSG cleared their lines and broke quickly, catching the hosts short at the halfway line.
Dembele carried the ball forward before releasing Barcola into space. One-on-one with Leon, the winger kept his composure and lifted a right-footed finish over the advancing goalkeeper to give PSG the lead.
Auxerre pushed for a response in the closing stages, but PSG managed the final minutes effectively. Doue won a free-kick deep in PSG territory during stoppage time, allowing the visitors to run down the clock.
The result moves PSG two points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, while Auxerre remain in the relegation zone.
