PSG chief, keeper revel in win

PSG chief, keeper revel in win



Paris Saint-Germain owner Nasser El-Khelaifi declared himself hugely satisfied after watching his team return to winning ways last night with a 2-0 triumph over fellow Ligue 1 title challengers Lyon.

Coach Antoine Kombouare had called for a positive reaction from his players after Thursday night's 2-0 UEFA Europa League loss at Athletic Bilbao ended their eight-match unbeaten run, and they duly delivered. Javier Pastore opened the scoring in the 64th minute and Christophe Jallet made sure of the points with a wonderful stoppage-time volley at the Parc des Princes.

The win lifted PSG top of the table, on 20 points from nine matches - three clear of Lyon, Montpellier and Toulouse - and left El-Khelaifi delighted. He told Canal Plus: "Obviously I'm very happy.
It's a match that has launched PSG on the road to the Champions League. A fantastic result for the club.
Nasser El-Khelaifi on his club's 2-0 reverse of Lyon

"I watched a great match of football. It's a match that has launched PSG on the road to the Champions League. A fantastic result for the club. The players are improving with each outing. It's hugely satisfying."

Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu felt his team had produced the perfect performance. He told Le Parisien: "We had to be vigilant. Lyon did have some opportunities to get the draw, and it was a pretty complicated game for us.

"But the team put all put their hearts in to make sure of the success. We must continue like this. When you see the result, I want to say that the team played a perfect match because we showed talent and courage."

The summer signing from Palermo added, though, that he knew nothing had been achieved yet: "The championship will not be won against Lyon, but against all teams."

PSG confirmed after the game that midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who was substituted in the 56th minute, had suffered a strained left hamstring.