Saint-Etienne, Nov 28 (UNI) Lionel Messi's hat-trick of assists to Marquinhos's brace and Angel Di Maria's one goal helped Paris Saint-Germain secure their second back-to-back victory in the French Ligue 1 here at Saint-Etienne, France on Sunday.
With a 3-1 win against AS Saint-Etienne, the table leader PSG now have 40 points and 36 goals from 16 matches in this season.
While Sergio Ramos was named in the PSG playing XI for the first time since he moved from Real Madrid in June this year, there could be a potential blow for PSG as Neymar was stretchered off the ground during the match. There is a possibility of sustaining an ankle injury for the Brazilian.
Saint-Etienne came off strong against PSG as Denis Bouanga gave his side an early lead in the 23rd minute. However, PSG took advantage when Timothee Kolodziejczak got a red card. It was at the stroke of the first half that PSG equalised, with Messi assisting Marquinhos for a header.
Di Maria joined the party in the 79nd minute with the help of Messi, extending the lead to 2-1 against Saint-Etienne. The midfielder netted a left footed shot from the centre of the box.
Messi came in handy for a third time in the match as Marquinhos' header from a close range sealed the game in favour of PSG. The eighth defeat has pulled Saint-Etienne at the bottom of the table with merely 12 points.
Saint-Etienne will next meet Stade Brestois 29 on December 1, while the Parisians will next take on OGC Nice on December 2.
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