PSG returns to the top of French league standings with a little help from Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed first place in Ligue 1 on Saturday night after a 3-0 victory over bottom-dwelling Metz at Parc des Princes, a result made even sweeter by Monaco’s dramatic 3-2 defeat of previous leaders Lens earlier in the day.

Désiré Doue needed only two minutes to open the scoring, racing onto Warren Zaïre-Emery’s threaded pass and finishing coolly to settle any early nerves. Bradley Barcola doubled the advantage seven minutes before the interval, heading home a pinpoint cross from Goncalo Ramos, who later completed the scoring himself with 13 minutes remaining.

The comfortable win lifted PSG two points clear of Lens with 11 rounds remaining and capped a remarkable swing at the summit. Lens had surged to the top last weekend with a 5-0 demolition of promoted Paris FC, but their stay lasted exactly seven days. Adi Hütter’s side looked on course to consolidate first place when Odsonne Édouard’s volley and Florian Thauvin’s close-range finish put them 2-0 ahead at Stade Louis II. Yet Monaco, fresh from letting a two-goal lead slip against PSG in Tuesday’s Champions League playoff first leg, produced an equally stunning turnaround.

Folarin Balogun halved the deficit against the run of play in the 62nd minute, Denis Zakaria levelled 20 minutes from time, and Ansu Fati punished more slack defending to complete the 3-2 victory. Saud Abdulhamid’s late appeal for a penalty ended only with a yellow card for simulation, summing up Lens’ frustrating evening.

Saturday’s results leave PSG in pole position as they turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League playoff return leg against Monaco. The winner will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the round of 16.

In the day’s other fixture, 18-year-old Argentine Julián Vignolo came off the bench to salvage a 1-1 draw for Toulouse against Paris FC.