PSG defeat Reims to go top
Saturday, October 20, 2012
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Paris Saint-Germain FC defeated Stade de Reims Champagne 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten start, but had goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu to thank for saving a first-half penalty.
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Paris Saint-Germain FC are the new Ligue 1 leaders after winning 1-0 at home against Stade de Reims Champagne – their fifth league victory in an unbeaten start to the season.
Kévin Gamerio's near-post header, midway through the second period, proved decisive but PSG did not have it all their own way at a sodden Parc des Princes. Indeed the home team had goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu to thank for still being level at the break, as the Italian saved Diego's 39th-minute penalty after Gregory van der Wiel had been penalised for a handball.
Blaise Matuidi and Jérémy Ménez both saw stunning efforts hit the woodwork in the second half, as PSG improved, while Reims' Julien Toudic cracked an acrobatic effort off the bar in the later stages. Carlo Ancelotti's side's time at the top may be brief, as Olympique de Marseille can retake pole position with a win at ES Troyes Aube Champagne on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Stade Rennais FC beat reigning champions Montpellier Hérault SC 2-1, and Emmanuel Rivière scored twice as Toulouse FC put four without reply past Évian Thonon Gaillard FC.
The day's most remarkable result was to be found at Valenciennes FC, where Daniel Sanchez's side romped to a 6-1 win against nine-man FC Lorient. Anthony Le Tallec and Vincent Aboubakar both scored twice.
