Ligue 1: PSG Defeat Nice To Set Focus On Barca's Clash

Everton loanee, Moise Kean struck the winning goal as Paris Saint-Germain survived a scare to beat Nice 2-1 on Saturday. The win on Saturday boosts their Ligue 1 title hopes three days before facing Barcelona in the Champions League.

Kean struck in the 76th minute for his 10th Ligue 1 goal since joining PSG on loan from Everton, handing Mauricio Pochettino's side the points after Julian Draxler's opener had been cancelled out by Rony Lopes at a freezing Parc des Princes.

The result allowed the reigning champions to go provisionally top of the table on goal difference from Lille, who play Brest at home on Sunday.

Lyon are two points back in third but can climb to the summit with a win at home to Montpellier later on Saturday.

READ ALSO: Ligue 1: Pochettino Suffers First PSG Defeat By Lowly Lorient

"Today in the circumstances I think we need to be happy. We are in the position we need to be in," Pochettino told Canal Plus.

"I think we controlled the game and deserved the victory. We didn't play great but I think it was a very professional performance."

PSG are expected to be without Neymar for at least the next three weeks after the world's most expensive player came off with a groin injury in a midweek French Cup win at second-tier Caen, a huge blow ahead of the Champions League last 16, the first leg in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Angel Di Maria will also be out for that game, and the Argentine watched the visit of Nice from the stands next to Marco Verratti, another key player on the injury list just now.

PSG were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 in each of Neymar's first two seasons with the club, defeats against Real Madrid and Manchester United both coming after the Brazilian suffered an untimely injury.