Paris Saint-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 with a 1-0 win over Brest, thanks to Neymar’s goal, though the French champions were grateful to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s penalty save.
After half an hour, the Brazilian volleyed home his eighth goal of the season to settle a scrappy affair and keep the hosts unbeaten.
However, Christophe Galtier’s team survived a scare in the final 20 minutes when Donnarumma saved Islam Slimani’s penalty to keep their lead.
PSG have now won each of their last ten league games against Brest, and they look like strong contenders for another title after extending their unbeaten home league streak to 25 games.
Brest came under intense pressure in the first 20 minutes, with Parisians Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi all going close.
The visitors’ woes appeared to worsen when Christophe Herelle was shown a red card for fouling Neymar, but a VAR check revealed the PSG forward had strayed offside before the challenge.
However, on the half-hour mark, the Brazil international broke the deadlock, controlling Messi’s wonderful lofted ball before firing past Marco Bizot.
Before the break, the Brest goalkeeper did well to deny Messi and Mbappe, while the latter was also denied by an offside flag.
Within five minutes of the restart, the visitors were saved by the woodwork, with Messi heading against the post from Mbappe’s cross.
Despite having 14 shots on goal, PSG nearly paid for their lack of creativity in the 70th minute when Presnel Kimpembe fouled Noah Fadiga in the box.
However, Donnarumma made the correct guess to deny Slimani from 12 yards and ensure his side’s return to the top of Ligue 1.
What does it imply? PSG has reclaimed first place after defeating Brest yet again.
In addition to returning to the top of Ligue 1, PSG improved their record against Brest by winning a scrappy match; the Parisians have now beaten Brest 18 times in Ligue 1, the most defeats the visitors have suffered against a single side in the French top flight.
Meanwhile, the leaders have beaten Brest in each of the last ten league meetings, with only Angers (12 straight wins) having a better such streak among current Ligue 1 teams.
Neymar resolves it
Neymar, the top scorer in Ligue 1 this season, provided another crucial contribution, scoring for the fifth time in five home league games.
Brest were previously the only team the Brazilian international had faced in the French top flight without scoring.
But he ended the wait in spectacular fashion, controlling Messi’s wonderful pass with a feather-like touch before brilliantly volleying home the game-winning goal.
Messi motivates the hosts
Messi may not have scored, but he was instrumental in PSG’s return to the top of the table.
His delightful assist for Neymar was one of four key passes from the former Barcelona player, who also had the most shots on goal (four, along with Mbappe).
What comes next?
PSG travel to Israel on Wednesday to play Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League, while Brest return to Ligue 1 action next Sunday at home against Ajaccio.