Angers 1 Paris Saint-Germain 2: Neymar stars as 10-man champions end winless run

Neymar scored one and set up another as 10-man Paris Saint-Germain returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Angers at the Stade Raymond Kopa on Saturday.

Angers had taken twice as many points from their last five Ligue 1 games than PSG had managed, but it was the recently crowned champions who came out on top thanks in large part to Neymar.

A week on from scoring his 50th goal for the club, the Brazilian forward broke the deadlock with a diving header 20 minutes in and teed up Angel Di Maria just before the hour.

PSG held on to put an end to their three-match winless run, despite having Marquinhos sent off and conceding a late goal from Flavien Tait.

Brought back into the side after missing the draw with Nice last week, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon produced fine saves to keep out Tait and Stephane Bahoken in the opening 16 minutes of the match.

But the visitors had chances of their own in a lively start as Edinson Cavani was denied by Ludovic Butelle and then had a goal rightly ruled out for offside.

The Parisians made their spell on top count as Dani Alves delayed his cross and picked out Neymar, who guided the ball away from Butelle with a header into the bottom corner.

After plenty of toiling from Thomas Tuchel’s side, Neymar set up the second after 58 minutes by drifting past Vincent Manceau and clipping the ball into the centre of the box for Di Maria to easily head home.

Tait converted at the second attempt following Buffon’s save from his late penalty, awarded after Marquinhos brought down Wilfried Kanga in the box, but PSG held firm for the win.

FULL TIME: Back to winning ways!#SCOPSG

#AllezParis pic.twitter.com/5umHcQLcZR

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 11, 2019

What does it mean? Pressure-relieving win for Tuchel

Only Bordeaux (four) have lost more Ligue 1 matches than PSG (three) since the start of April, and the pressure has built on Thomas Tuchel as a result. Though this was far from a vintage display, PSG were comfortable until a chaotic finish and the win should help lessen the scrutiny on Tuchel.

Neymar makes impact in potential finale

Should Neymar’s three-match ban for an altercation with a Rennes supporter after the Coupe de France final be upheld this will be Neymar’s final game of an injury-plagued season. If that proves to be the case he will at least go out on a high after an instrumental showing.

Cavani waiting to get off the mark

It was another disappointing outing for Cavani, who has yet to score since returning from a month out with a thigh injury and was kept quiet again as he failed to convert – legally at least – from his two shots. 

What’s next?

PSG welcome Dijon to the Parc des Princes next Saturday for their final home game of the season, while Angers travel to Lille on the same day.