AFP, Paris :
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) overturned an early deficit to beat 10-man Saint-Etienne 3-1 away in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with Lionel Messi setting up all three goals.
The match also featured the long-awaited PSG debut of Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, while Neymar left the pitch sobbing in agony, stretchered off with an ankle injury.
Still in November, the result leaves PSG on 40 points, 12 clear of second- placed Rennes, who beat Lorient 2-0 for their sixth win in seven matches.
“I’m happy with the performance of the whole team and the effort from all the players, especially Lionel Messi who helped us win the match,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Saint-Etienne took a surprise lead when Denis Bouanga beat the offside trap to fire a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma on 23 minutes. A flag went up but a VAR review awarded the goal.
The hosts, languishing in the bottom two but on the back of two straight league wins, held their own against PSG, who appeared more affected by the freezing cold and gusting snow.
