PSG held as Brest fight back for impressive draw in Ligue 1
Marco Asensio, making his first league start since September, volleyed PSG ahead at the Parc des Princes late in the first half before Randal Kolo Muani tapped in a second for the hosts before the break. An own goal by Danilo on 55 minutes offered Brest a way back into the match and Mathias Pereira Lage put an end to the visitors' run of 14 successive defeats by PSG with a clever back-heel flick to equalise.
PSG had Bradley Barcola, who played a key part in both of his team's goals, sent off after he picked up two yellow cards in stoppage time. "It's a great evening for us," said Brest coach Eric Roy. "Being 2-0 down at the Parc des Princes can turn into a nightmare, but this team has always believed in itself. Lots of teams would have crumbled at half-time."
Luis Enrique's side saw their lead at the top shaved to six points following Nice's 1-0 victory over Metz on Saturday. Brest, now unbeaten in eight games, remain nine points adrift of the leaders. The two sides meet again in Paris in the last 16 of the French Cup on February 7th. Brest have not beaten PSG in the last 27 meetings, a run stretching back to 1985.
"The cup match is going to be very difficult," said Luis Enrique. "If it's anything like the second half we could be in trouble." Chasing an 11th win in 12 outings, PSG were made to be patient before a moment of inspiration from Barcola unlocked the Brest defence.
After being restricted to Kylian Mbappe's shot that was turned away by Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot, Barcola picked out Asensio's dart into the box with a delightful chipped pass the Spaniard steered first-time inside the far post. Barcola and Asensio combined again minutes later to leave Kolo Muani with a tap-in, the France striker reacting quickest
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