Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris St Germain claimed a straightforward 3-1 victory at Metz to put the pressure back on Lille in the Ligue 1 title race.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side weren’t at their best on Saturday but Mbappe was deadly in front of goal as he took his league tally to 25 for the campaign.
His first arrived early on as PSG initially appeared in the mood, though they faded somewhat and failed to build on that goal despite Metz offering precious little themselves.
But Metz levelled just 49 seconds into the second half through Fabien Centonze as PSG looked in danger of dropping points for the third time in six games.
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Yet Mbappe’s deflected effort just before the hour restored the Parisians’ lead and a late Mauro Icardi penalty ensured there was no collapse from the defending champions, who have gone two points clear of Lille.
While Lille have a tough outing at fourth-placed Lyon on Sunday, PSG can now look forward to their date with Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Bordeaux fans took to the city centre to protest against investors King Street withdrawing financial support and leaving their club facing insolvency proceedings.
The protest took place 24 hours after the six-time French champions, who are currently 16th in the table and fighting relegation, entered “protection from the trade court of Bordeaux.”