PSG return to Ligue 1 summit with Ajaccio win
Reuters - Sunday 04 March 2012, 22:03
Paris Saint-Germain regained
top spot in Ligue 1 when they claimed a comprehensive 4-1 home
win against AC Ajaccio on Sunday.
PSG, who had drawn their last three league games, now have
55 points from 26 games and lead Montpellier by one point after
the southerners only managed a 1-1 draw at Dijon on Saturday.
Champions Lille are eight points off the pace following
their 2-2 home draw with AJ Auxerre, also on Saturday.
"When we are motivated like tonight or last weekend, we can
definitely score goals," striker Guillaume Hoarau, who netted a
double last Sunday when PSG snatched a 4-4 draw at Olympique
Lyon, told Foot Plus TV.
"We wanted three points, we have them so we're happy. We
wanted to regain our lead."
Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore, who joined from Palermo
for a French record fee of 42 million euros in
August, put the hosts in front when he fired past Guillermo
Ochoa after a fine one-two with Blaise Matuidi on 27 minutes.
France midfielder Jeremy Menez doubled the tally two minutes
later, curling a superb shot into the top corner.
Yohann Poulard pulled one back for the visitors, netting
from close range three minutes before the break.
PSG, who are hoping to win their first French league title
since 1994, wrapped up victory with four minutes left when
Hoarau found the back of the net with a delicate chip.
Nene added to Ajaccio's relegation worries three minutes
into stoppage time with a fourth.
Stade Rennes climbed to fourth spot with 43 points, four
behind Lille, when they won 2-0 at neighbours Lorient.
Jonathan Pitroipa gave Rennes the lead when he converted a
quick counter-attack four minutes before the break.
The Burkina
Faso winger then set up Youssouf Hadji, who netted a fine shot
from outside the box to secure the win on 79 minutes.
Caen drew 0-0 with Stade Brest in Sunday's other game.