FOOTBALL NEWS FROM LIGUE 1
Nene fires PSG to victory
Nene struck an 18-minute hat-trick to earn Paris St Germain victory over Rennes that ensures the Ligue 1 title fight will go to the final round of the season.
Nene opened the scoring in the 47th minute, added his second 11 minutes later and then completed his treble from the penalty spot in the 65th minute as PSG kept within three points of leaders Montpellier, who claimed a late victory over Lille tonight.
PSG complete their campaign at Lorient while Montpellier, whose goal difference of +33 is now exactly the same as Carlo Ancelotti's side, are away to Auxerre.
Nene has been in rich goalscoring form of late for PSG and tonight's treble took his tally to eight in his last six league games, although he played the role of provider in the first half to help set up his side's best two chances.
With 10 minutes on the clock the Brazilian picked out team-mate Jeremy Menez in the area and the France international skipped past Onyekachi Apam before firing in a shot that skimmed the outside of the post.
The same two players combined again in the 29th minute but once again Menez's final effort flew just wide.
In between those two chances, Europa League hopefuls Rennes had an opportunity of their own but Youssouf Hadji was unable to hit the target with his volley.
Neither side was able to make the breakthrough prior to the interval, but it took PSG just two minutes of the second half to get their noses in front thanks to Nene.
In a reversal of roles from the first half, Menez raced down the left before pulled the ball back to Nene to fire a low left-footed drive inside the near post.
Nene needed no assistance with his next goal 11 minutes later as the dead-ball specialist found the back the net with a perfectly executed free-kick from the edge of the box.
The vastly-experienced playmaker was than handed the chance to net his hat-trick from the penalty spot when Jean Kana Biyik fouled Menez in the area, and Nene did not waste the opportunity as he stepped up to send Benoit Costil the wrong way from 12 yards.
That was Nene's 21st goal of the season, lifting him level with Montpellier's Olivier Giroud at the top of the scoring charts, and ensuring their battle for supremacy - as is the case with their teams - will go to the wire.
PSG also had the chance to make it 4-0 in the 76th minute but Menez shot came back off the post.
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Nene struck an 18-minute hat-trick to earn Paris St Germain victory over Rennes that ensures the Ligue 1 title fight will go to the final round of the season.Nene opened the scoring in the 47th minute, added his second 11 minutes later and then completed his treble from the penalty spot in the 65th minute as PSG kept within three points of leaders Montpellier, who claimed a late victory over Lille tonight.
PSG complete their campaign at Lorient while Montpellier, whose goal difference of +33 is now exactly the same as Carlo Ancelotti's side, are away to Auxerre.
Nene has been in rich goalscoring form of late for PSG and tonight's treble took his tally to eight in his last six league games, although he played the role of provider in the first half to help set up his side's best two chances.
With 10 minutes on the clock the Brazilian picked out team-mate Jeremy Menez in the area and the France international skipped past Onyekachi Apam before firing in a shot that skimmed the outside of the post.
The same two players combined again in the 29th minute but once again Menez's final effort flew just wide.
In between those two chances, Europa League hopefuls Rennes had an opportunity of their own but Youssouf Hadji was unable to hit the target with his volley.
Neither side was able to make the breakthrough prior to the interval, but it took PSG just two minutes of the second half to get their noses in front thanks to Nene.
In a reversal of roles from the first half, Menez raced down the left before pulled the ball back to Nene to fire a low left-footed drive inside the near post.
Nene needed no assistance with his next goal 11 minutes later as the dead-ball specialist found the back the net with a perfectly executed free-kick from the edge of the box.
The vastly-experienced playmaker was than handed the chance to net his hat-trick from the penalty spot when Jean Kana Biyik fouled Menez in the area, and Nene did not waste the opportunity as he stepped up to send Benoit Costil the wrong way from 12 yards.
That was Nene's 21st goal of the season, lifting him level with Montpellier's Olivier Giroud at the top of the scoring charts, and ensuring their battle for supremacy - as is the case with their teams - will go to the wire.
PSG also had the chance to make it 4-0 in the 76th minute but Menez shot came back off the post.