Saint-Etienne vs. PSG: Score, Grades and Reaction from Ligue 1 Game

Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted a controversial second-half penalty as Paris Saint-Germain claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at Saint-Etienne on Sunday evening in Ligue 1.

Following a first half bereft of chances at either end, PSG went ahead in the 60th minute when Ibrahimovic powered in from the penalty spot. The match opened up after the goal, but neither side managed to find the net over the final 30 minutes.

The final result was harsh toward the home side, who would likely have earned a point if not for the controversial penalty decision, according to French Football Weekly: 

The win took PSG up to 44 points through 22 matches, level with second-placed Marseille. The two teams have identical goal differentials of plus-20, but Marseille are second based on total goals scored.

Despite the win, questions remain over PSG's ability to break down opponents in the final third. Laurent Blanc's side dominated possession throughout the match but struggled to create meaningful chances.

Blanc and Les Parisiens will hope to find a remedy as the season's run-in approaches. Chasing a third-straight Ligue 1 title, PSG trail leaders Lyon by four points. However, plenty of time remains in the season for PSG to make up that difference.

PSG's next chance to make up ground comes on Friday with a home game against Stade Rennes. Following a match at Lille in the Coupe de la Ligue, Blanc's side will visit Lyon on Feb. 8 for a potentially pivotal clash.

Saint-Etienne, who remain in fourth place with 40 points after the loss, play at Caen next Sunday.

PSG dominated territorially from the first whistle, holding the majority of possession throughout the first half. But for all of their control, Les Parisiens lacked the requisite quality in the final third to break down Saint-Etienne.

Neither side created a clear chance in the first 45 minutes. Perhaps the only decent opportunity came in the 24th minute, when PSG midfielder Marco Verratti picked out Blaise Matuidi with a chipped pass over the top. Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier saved Matuidi's flicked header, but regardless, Matuidi had been ruled offside.

PSG's struggles continued early in the second half, but the game changed in the 59th minute when the visitors won a controversial penalty.

Following a PSG corner, the ball was diverted toward the far post but appeared set to bounce wide. Manning the post, Jeremy Clement leaned down to trap the ball with the end of his shoulder but was whistled for a handball, giving PSG a penalty. Ibrahimovic took the spot-kick one minute later, slamming his shot past Ruffier for the opening goal.

With the deadlock finally broken, PSG began to create more chances. In the 70th minute, Verratti led a quick attack down the middle before laying off for Ibrahimovic on the left. Ibrahimovic had a good sight of goal, but his low shot was blocked.

The visitors came even closer in the 76th minute when substitute Javier Pastore picked out Edinson Cavani's run with a fine through ball. Spotting Ruffier off of his line, Cavani beat the goalkeeper with a clever chip, but the ball hit the crossbar and bounced away.

Saint-Etienne began to exert pressure as full-time approached, but the hosts were unable to trouble PSG with meaningful chances. Romain Hamouma had an opportunity to create danger in the 90th minute, but his curling free-kick was cleared with relative ease.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Stephane Ruffier	6.4
Kevin Theophile-Catherine	6.1
Paul Baysse	7.0
Loic Perrin	6.5
Franck Tabanou	6.7
Romain Hamouma	6.7
Fabien Lemoine	6.4
Jeremy Clement	6.7
Yohan Mollo	6.6
Mevlut Erding	6.0
Ricky van Wolfswinkel	6.0
Allan Saint-Maximin (for Erding, 67')	6.4
Landry N'Guemo (for Lemoine, 82')	6.2
Jonathan Bamba (for Mollo, 82')	6.0

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Salvatore Sirigu	7.0
Marquinhos	7.6
Thiago Silva	7.9
David Luiz	7.2
Maxwell	7.1
Marco Verratti	7.4
Thiago Motta	7.2
Blaise Matuidi	7.0
Lucas Moura	6.7
Zlatan Ibrahimovic	7.3
Edinson Cavani	7.0
Javier Pastore (for Moura, 75')	6.4
Ezequiel Lavezzi (for Cavani, 84')	6.1
Yohan Cabaye (for Verratti, 85')	6.1

Reaction

PSG manager Laurent Blanc (via PSG.fr):

"

We played very well which enabled us to pick up the three points. We were the side that tried to play football, and we're very happy this evening with the result. We are still competing in four competitions and we'll see at the end if it is a good season for us. The scenario of the match was very good, Paris were always in control of the game. We came here with intentions to play football and the lads can be very happy with their performance tonight.

"