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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Murtagh

Maurico Pochettino's PSG struggles continue as Monaco run riot

Pressure on Mauricio Pochettino intensified after his runaway PSG leaders were hammered by Monaco.

Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice either side of Kevin Volland's strike to earn the home side a much-needed win to pile more misery on Pochettino after their Champions League exit. Pochettino will stay in charge until at least the end of the season but their European collapse against Real Madrid could cost him his job.

PSG still remain on course to regain the Ligue 1 title but the manner of this latest defeat will push him closer to the exit door. Lionel Messi was missing through illness but Neymar and Kylian Mbappe also endured off days as Monaco were worthy winners.

Monaco dominated the match - shown on BT Sport, the exclusive broadcaster of France’s Ligue 1 Uber Eats in the UK and Ireland - from the first whistle. Manchester United target Aurelien Tchouameni forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a smart save. Jean Lucas somehow failed to score moments later after dancing through the PSG defence.

The visitors couldn't get a foothold in the game and the home side's dominance deservedly paid off after 25 minutes. Youssouf Fofana sent over a teasing cross from the right-hand side and Ben Yedder produced a stunning flick that beat Donnarumma at his near post.

Neymar forced Alexander Nubel into action with a curling free-kick as Pochettino's men looked for a response. But it was Monaco who continued to look more threatening, with Fofana testing Donnarumma again from distance.

Neymar and PSG were well beaten by Monaco (REUTERS)

PSG grew into the match as the half wore on, with Nubel doing well to get down low to keep out Achraf Hakimi's effort. Presnel Kimpembe should've equalised for the visiting side after the restart, but he headed over the bar from Neymar's corner.

That miss proved costly shortly after as Monaco doubled their lead to leave Pochettino and his team with a mountain to climb. Volland - a second-half substitute - was in the right place at the right time to stab the ball beyond Donnarumma from close range.

Wissam Ben Yedder (right) fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti (AFP via Getty Images)

PSG rallied and Hakimi stung the hands of Nubel but his fierce drive was straight at the Monaco keeper. Former Monaco star Mbappe struggled and his tame effort from distance summed up his and PSG's afternoon.

Pochettino's misery was compounded nine minutes from time when Volland was brought down in the box. Donnarumma got a hand to Ben Yedder's penalty but couldn't keep it out as Monaco ran riot.

Their lead at the top of the table was cut to 12 points after Marseille edged out Nice 2-1 in a close contest. Arkadiusz Milik gave the home side the lead in first half stoppage time.

Marseille players celebrate at the final whistle after beating Nice (AFP via Getty Images)

Nice improved after the break but Cedric Bakambu gave Marseille breathing space with a second late one. Mario Lemina pulled one back at the death, but it proved too little, too late late for Christophe Galtier's side, who slipped to fourth.

BT Sport is the exclusive broadcaster of France’s Ligue 1 Uber Eats this season, with several live matches broadcast every week. For more info, visit btsport.com

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