World News – AU – Mbappe helps PSG keep up with Lille

Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty when Paris Saint-Germain scored a 2-0 win over 10-man Lorient on Wednesday, the reigning champions are just one point behind Lille before visiting the leaders at this one weekend.

Mbappe’s penalty in the second half when Andrew Gravillon was sent off and Moise Kean’s goal helped PSG win after Lille, who hosted the Champions League runners-up on Sunday, beat Dijon with the same number of points.

Lyon fell back to third after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Brest, one point behind PSG.

Marseille, who have two games in the top three, slipped five points behind the leaders after a 2-1 defeat at Rennes.

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said after the game that Neymar, who sprained his ankle against Lyon last Sunday, could return this weekend.

« We’ll do everything for Neymar – that’s the good news, » said the German. « I can’t say ‘No, he’s not playing against Lille’. It is possible. We can try, we’ll try anything. « 

PSG had 81 percent possession against Lorient in the first half without creating many clear chances. Lorient’s Torientas Moffi missed the best opportunity of the opening when he shot wide after a clean shot on target.

But the game was decided less than five minutes after break when full-back Gravillon was sent hard for a nudge against Mbappe in the box.

The striker with a striking new blue hairstyle stepped forward to direct the free kick into the lower corner.

Tuchel’s men took another 10 minutes to claim victory. Rafinha set Kean up to score his eighth goal since he was loaned to PSG by Everton in the final season.

Previously, the formally strong Yusuf Yazici scored the winning goal when Lille scored a 2-0 victory in Dijon despite the uncertainty behind the scenes of the leaders.

Lille president and owner Gerard Lopez announced on Wednesday that he could sell the club to foreign investors amid a difficult financial situation exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

« I’m analyzing the takeover bid I received, » Lopez told AFP, adding that he would « pull out completely » if it sold.

But Lille continued their quiet progress on the pitch this season when Turkey international Yazici scored his fifth league goal of the season in 19. Minute only took the lead in his third Ligue 1 start this season.

The 23-year-old Zeki Celik, the secret compatriot Zeki Celik, cut the network for the eleventh time in all competitions of a breakthrough season.

Lille believed they received a late free kick for a trip to Burak Yilmaz but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.

Christophe Galtier’s men doubled their lead in stoppage time when Timothy Weah, son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, scored his first Ligue 1 goal since scoring for PSG in August 2018.

« We’re going to host PSG next in a big game in an empty stadium (on Sunday), » said Lille manager Galtier.

Lyon scored against Brest at halftime following goalkeeper Anthony Lopes’s own goal, but Memphis Depay’s penalty and a goal for Maxwel Cornet seemed to keep them up with Lille.

But Romain Faivre scored in the 93. Another free kick took place after Lope, who wasn’t on his line, saved Brendan Chardonnet’s first attempt.

Marseille led through Pape Gueye in Rennes, but the midfielder came in 36th. Sent off minute and goals from Hamari Traore and Adrien Hunou ended the home team’s winning streak in nine games.

Elsewhere, fifth-placed Montpellier slipped six points behind Lille with a 2-0 home defeat to Metz, while Monaco fell to a third consecutive defeat and was beaten 3-0 by Lens at home.

Paris Saint-Germain F. . C.. . , Kylian Mbappé, France Ligue 1, FC Lorient, Moise Kean, Neymar, UEFA Champions League, Thomas Tuchel