Saint-Germain Takes the Lead
Paris Saint-Germain tops the French league after a 2-0 win over Lyon, amidst injuries to several key stars.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain topped the Ligue 1 table for the first time this season with a 2-0 victory over visitors Lyon on Saturday, in the eighth round, despite the absence of several key players due to injury. Belgian midfielder Myron Boadu scored his first goal for PSG, coming on as a substitute and setting up teammate Seny Dieng for the opening goal in the 72nd minute, before finishing the scoring himself in the 84th minute to lead his team to their eighth consecutive win across all competitions.
The capital club claimed top spot for the first time, moving one point clear of Rennes (17 points versus 16), while Lyon sit fifth with 14 points, separated from sixth-placed Paris FC by goal difference. The match was originally scheduled for Sunday but was postponed by 24 hours at the request of Paris police, who sought to redistribute security resources amid a wave of violent protests in the French capital.
The rescheduled date coincided with the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, where ten PSG players were among the 30 nominees, including last year’s winner Ousmane Dembélé and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Both Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia missed the Lyon clash due to injuries sustained during PSG’s 4-2 Champions League victory over Barcelona last week. Kvaratskhelia is expected to be sidelined for several months after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Portuguese defender Nuno Mendes and Brazilian captain Marquinhos were also absent.
Despite dominating proceedings, PSG had to wait until the 72nd minute to open the scoring. Boadu, who had replaced Portuguese midfielder João Neves in the 60th minute, played a pass to Dieng on the edge of the penalty area, and the latter fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner to register his first goal of the season. Lyon could have taken top spot with a win, but PSG sealed the victory in the 84th minute when young substitute Quinten Timber played a pass to Boadu, who finished the move with a precise strike.
