LORIENT, France (AP) - Thiago Motta scored as Paris Saint-Germain beat Lorient 1-0 on Friday to provisionally increase its lead over Monaco to 11 points atop the French league.
Motta netted a rebound in the 41st minute as PSG extended its winning streak to eight games in all competitions.
“We’re not champions yet even though we’re getting closer,” PSG right back Christophe Jallet said. “We must stay focused. It bodes well for us, but it’s not a done deal.”
The hosts put PSG under pressure in the first half, forcing goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu to parry long-range strikes from Lorient midfielders Alain Traore and Yann Jouffre in the 13th and 15th minute respectively.
The defending champions lost Brazil defender Thiago Silva in the 29th when he had to be replaced by Alex after being elbowed in the face by Lorient forward Vincent Aboubakar.
PSG finally threatened in the 38th when right back Christophe Jallet crossed for Edinson Cavani, whose bouncing header was tipped over the bar by Lorient goalkeeper Fabien Audard.
Three minutes later, a play initiated by Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped PSG open the scoring. The Sweden striker connected with a low cross from Cavani and was denied by Audard. However, Motta followed up to tap into an empty net.
PSG had the better chances in the second half. Audard palmed away a half-volley from Ibrahimovic in the 52nd before saving a sliding effort from Jallet in the 75th.
Lorient substitute Bryan Pele thought he netted the equalizer in the 87th but his goal was disallowed for offside.
“It took us a bit of time to adapt to the artificial turf,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “It wasn’t a great PSG side but it did what it needed to do.”
On Sunday, Monaco hosts third-place Lille while Lyon visits Guingamp and Saint-Etienne faces Sochaux.
On Saturday, it’s: Marseille vs. Rennes; Bastia vs. Reims; Bordeaux vs. Nice; Nantes vs. Montpellier; Toulouse vs. Evian; and Valenciennes vs. Ajaccio.
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