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Pochettino gets first win with PSG but Lyon stay top of French Ligue 1
Mauricio Pochettino celebrated his first victory as Paris Saint-Germain coach on his home debut on Saturday as Moise Kean set the reigning champions on their way to a 3-0 win over Brest, but Lyon remain top of Ligue 1 after drawing at Rennes.
Substitutes Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia added late goals for PSG who would have gone top on goal difference had Lyon not recovered from 2-0 down to earn a point in Rennes and extend their unbeaten run to 16 games.
PSG are second at the season's halfway stage, a point behind the leaders and ahead on goal difference of third-placed Lille, who triumphed 1-0 at Nimes.
With Neymar still missing, it was not a vintage performance from PSG on a freezing Parisian night in an empty stadium.
That meant it was never going to be the return to the Parc des Princes that Pochettino - who was a popular player for PSG two decades ago - would have liked.
Nevertheless the Argentine will be relieved to have his first win in charge after his first game ended in a 1-1 draw at Saint-Etienne in midweek.
He could now get his first piece of silverware when PSG play Marseille on Wednesday in the Champions Trophy, the French equivalent of a Super Cup that in normal times is the curtain-raiser to the season.
It remains to be seen if Neymar, after four weeks on the sidelines, will be fit for that game.
Pochettino again started playmaker Marco Verratti in an advanced role behind central striker Kean, with the latter opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
Captain Marquinhos headed Angel di Maria's corner against the post and Kean was on hand to nod in the rebound from barely a meter out. It was his 11th goal, and his ninth in Ligue 1, since signing on loan from Everton in October.
Substitutes Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia added late goals for PSG who would have gone top on goal difference had Lyon not recovered from 2-0 down to earn a point in Rennes and extend their unbeaten run to 16 games.
PSG are second at the season's halfway stage, a point behind the leaders and ahead on goal difference of third-placed Lille, who triumphed 1-0 at Nimes.
With Neymar still missing, it was not a vintage performance from PSG on a freezing Parisian night in an empty stadium.
That meant it was never going to be the return to the Parc des Princes that Pochettino - who was a popular player for PSG two decades ago - would have liked.
Nevertheless the Argentine will be relieved to have his first win in charge after his first game ended in a 1-1 draw at Saint-Etienne in midweek.
He could now get his first piece of silverware when PSG play Marseille on Wednesday in the Champions Trophy, the French equivalent of a Super Cup that in normal times is the curtain-raiser to the season.
It remains to be seen if Neymar, after four weeks on the sidelines, will be fit for that game.
Pochettino again started playmaker Marco Verratti in an advanced role behind central striker Kean, with the latter opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
Captain Marquinhos headed Angel di Maria's corner against the post and Kean was on hand to nod in the rebound from barely a meter out. It was his 11th goal, and his ninth in Ligue 1, since signing on loan from Everton in October.
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