12 September, by Sean Gillen

Pauleta on the mark in PSG defeat

Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Marseille

Pedro Pauleta was on the scoresheet but could not prevent his PSG side from slumping to a hugely disappointing defeat to arch-rivals Marseille in an eventful encounter at the Parc des Princes.

Pauleta’s penalty drew his side level during the first half but the Portuguese forward was largely a spectator as Marseille dominated large parts of the second period to come away with all three points and go top of Ligue 1.

The typically fiery fixture between two of the country’s biggest clubs got off to a controversial start when referee Stephane Bre awarded Marseille a penalty after just five minutes when PSG defender Mario Yepes was adjudged to have tugged the shirt of Ronald Zubar. Senegalese striker Mahmadou Niang converted the penalty twice, having been forced to re-take his initial effort after encroachment.

Penalty controversy

PSG reacted well to the setback, and Bonaventure Kalou went close before the home side were given the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after an equally soft shirt-pull by Niang on Traore. Pauleta saw his penalty saved by Carrasso, but after the referee again issued a re-take for encroachment, the Azorean coolly slotted home for his fourth goal in as many matches.

The game went slightly flat after the equalising goal, with Niang going close on a couple of occasions from long-rang for Marseille, while Pauleta lifted a free-kick harmlessly over the bar.

Marseille emerged from the break by far the more dangerous side, and after Mikael Pagis drew a good save from Landreau, PSG defender Yepes gave away another penalty. This time, however, there could be no doubt about the award, with the Colombian’s two-footed lunge bringing down Niang. The 19-year-old attacker, Samir Nasri, scored at the second attempt after Landreau saved his initial spot-kick.

The side from the south coast continued to control proceedings, and substitute Sabri Lamouchi almost scored when put through on goal, but Landreau again managed to deflect his finish onto the post. From the resulting corner, Niang connected at the back post but saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Dhoraso.

Pauleta, who had been extremely quiet in the second period, became heavily involved during a five-minute period inside the last ten minutes. The Portuguese turned superbly inside the box to find space to get his shot off, but he scuffed his finish somewhat and Carrasso comfortably saved low to his right.

Pauleta’s workrate

Marseille could have been given another penalty before Pauleta showed extraordinary commitment for his side’s cause. The PSG captain sprinted back to assist his defence as Marseille launched a rapid counter-attack from a PSG corner, and Pauleta intercepted Niang’s ball across the PSG penalty area to earn huge cheers from the previously despondent home crowd.

It would prove to be of little inspiration to his team-mates, however, as Marseille wrapped up the win in added time when Franck Ribery’s excellent trickery and cross allowed Pagis to tap in from close range. The away side could have scored several times in added time as the PSG defence looked completely disorganised.

The Parisians will have to pick themselves up from the disappointment, with an away match in the UEFA Cup against Derry City followed by a trip to Monaco in the league next weekend.

Paris Saint Germain:
Landreau, Mendy, Armand, Yepes, Rozehnal, Traore, Cisse (Pancrate, 70), Dhoraso, Kalou, Frau (Diane, 67), Pauleta
Yellow Cards: Cisse (37), Traore (37)

Marseille:
Carrasso, Civelli, Taiwo, Zubar, Beye, Cana, M’Bami (Lamouchi, 70), Nasri, Ribery, Maoulida (Pagis, 57), Niang (Oruma, 89)
Yellow Cards: Carrasso (22), Civelli (37), Taiwo (45), Nasri (69)

Goals:
[0-1] Niang, 7 (pen)
[1-1] Pauleta, 22 (pen)
[1-2] Nasri, 69
[1-3] Pagis, 90