PARIS (AP) - Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 18th league goal of the season and Brazil center half Alex added a late goal as Paris Saint-Germain beat Bordeaux 2-0 on Friday to provisionally move six points clear of Monaco at the top of the French league.
Ibrahimovic put PSG ahead when he got in front of his marker to neatly flick in Lucas’s cross in the 59th minute.
New signing Yohan Cabaye came on as a second-half substitute and headed Ezequiel Lavezzi’s cross against the post in the 87th. Moments later, Lucas set up another goal from the right when fellow countryman Alex turned in his corner with a striker’s finish.
Last weekend, Alex’s late header had rescued a point as PSG labored to a 1-1 draw away to Guingamp.
“We came into this match on the back of a draw and a defeat,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “I think we just didn’t let Bordeaux play at all. Defensively, we didn’t concede many corners, and we did what we had to do, although we could have done a bit better up front. Lucas did well, but given how many chances he gets he should score.”
Midfielder Blaise Matuidi welcomed Cabaye’s arrival.
“He did well when he came on, and we know he’s a very good player,” Matuidi said. “That’s good for us and good for the French league for such a player to come back to France.”
The only drawback for PSG was an injury to 20-goal scorer Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguay striker limped off in the 75th clutching the back of his right thigh and is doubtful for next week’s League Cup semifinal against Nantes and the clash with Monaco.
“He felt a bit of pain behind his thigh, it’s a bit of a problem when a player asks to come off because it means he knows he can’t go on,” Blanc said. “We’ll know a bit more about it tomorrow.”
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