Neymar continues hot goalscoring form as PSG beat Toulouse

Posted Sunday, February 11, 2018 by PA

Neymar’s 27th goal of the season was enough to secure Paris St Germain a 1-0 win at Toulouse and restore their 13-point lead at the top of Ligue 1.

Brazil playmaker Neymar fired home the game’s only goal midway through the second half and twice hit the woodwork as Unai Emery’s side registered their 14th win in their last 15 games in all competitions.

It was Neymar’s eighth goal in his last four league appearances and lifts him to within one of prolific team-mate Edinson Cavani.

Presnel Kimpembe went close to giving PSG an early lead, but his shot was well saved by Toulouse goalkeeper Alban Lafont, who then kept out a goalbound effort from Giovani Lo Celso.

Toulouse threatened to take a shock lead when Yaya Sanogo’s header from Max Gradel’s cross was superbly turned away by PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Kylian Mbappe was next to be denied by Lafont, who got down low to palm away the France international’s angled drive, while Neymar’s close-range effort was also dealt with by the in-form keeper.

Neymar blazed over after being set up by Mbappe shortly before the interval as Toulouse kept the Parisiens at bay.

Marquinhos headed wide soon after the restart and two more Neymar shots were inches off target as PSG pressed for the breakthrough.

That duly came in the 68th minute. Angel Di Maria provided the telling pass on the left edge of the penalty area and Neymar’s thumping finish into the centre of goal gave Lafont no chance.

Neymar was denied his second when his 78th-minute shot struck a post following good work by Julian Draxler and the Brazilian crashed a long-range right-footed effort against the crossbar a minute later.

Toulouse were indebted to Lafont again in the closing stages when he pushed away Draxler’s low shot in the bottom corner and PSG had to settle for a one-goal win.

Victory was PSG’s 10th on the road in Ligue 1 this season, while Toulouse went down to their fifth defeat at home.