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A late penalty from Edinson Cavani gave Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 win over Nancy on Saturday at Parc des Princes to move them level on points atop Ligue 1 with both Monaco and Nice. PSG, who head to Barcelona next week to defend a 4-0 lead in their Champions League round-of-16 tie, were somewhat fortunate not to find themselves behind during the closing stages. With 15 minutes to go, a swift counter-attack from Youssef Ait Bennasser saw a shot from substitute Alexis Busin beat PSG keeper Kevin Trapp but then hit both posts and bounce clear. It proved to be a decisive moment as PSG soon took the lead when, on 80 minutes, Serge Aurier went down under a challenge from Sergey Chernik and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Cavani made no mistake to score his 37th goal of an impressive season as PSG maintained their unbeaten run in 2017 and kept the pressure on Monaco, who host Nantes on Sunday. Nice also moved on to 62 points after a 1-0 win at Dijon later on Saturday. Midfielder Wylan Cyprien made the breakthrough for the visitors on 69 minutes when he latched onto a high ball down the right and slotted an angled drive past the goalkeeper at the near post. Angers continued their winning run with a 3-2 victory at Caen. Karl Toko Ekambi headed the visitors into the lead after only five minutes, before Ronny Rodelin rounded the keeper to equalise. Cheikh Ndoye's looping header made it 2-1 in the 21st minute, with an early second-half penalty from Thomas Mangani putting the visitors in control. Ivan Santini reduced the deficit with 23 minutes left, but Caen could not conjure an equaliser. A last-gasp equaliser from Wesley Said snatched a 1-1 draw for Rennes at Metz. Cheick Diabate had put the home side in front during first-half stoppage-time when he latched onto a stray backpass. However, just when it looked like Metz were set for a much-needed three points, Said lashed a loose ball in at the far post. Montpellier drew 1-1 with Guingamp at Stade de la Mosson. Steve Mounie's clever flick gave the hosts the lead five minutes into the second half, but Guingamp skipper Jimmy Briand volleyed in an equalised with five minutes left. Struggling Bastia and European hopefuls Saint-Etienne both had a man sent off in their goalless draw at Stade Armand-Cesari. The hosts lost defender Nicolas Saint-Ruf just before half-time, with Saint-Etienne substitute Fabien Lemoine receiving his red card in the 65th minute.
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