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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Mbappe makes decisive return for winning PSG

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Bordeaux v Paris St Germain - Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, France - September 28, 2019 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe in action REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

PARIS (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe's return boosted Paris St Germain as the France striker set up Neymar for a soft goal in a 1-0 victory at Girondins de Bordeaux in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Mbappe, back as a substitute after a lengthy injury, burst down the right flank in the 70th minute and Neymar just had to tap in as PSG reclaimed the league lead with 18 points from eight games.

They lead Nantes, who snatched a 1-0 win at Olympique Lyonnais, by two points.

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Bordeaux v Paris St Germain - Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux, France - September 28, 2019 Paris St Germain's Neymar celebrates scoring their first goal with Kylian Mbappe and team mates REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Angers are third, also on 16 points, after drawing 1-1 at home with Amiens.

PSG travel to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, without the suspended Neymar, who has scored his team's last three goals in Ligue 1.

"(Mbappe) is one of the best players in the world. Every time he's on the pitch things are easier because he's so fast," said Neymar.

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Olympique Lyonnais v Nantes - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - September 28, 2019 Nantes players celebrate after Olympique Lyonnais' Marcal scored an own goal and Nantes first REUTERS/Emmanuel Foudrot

Mbappe, who missed a month of competition with a muscle problem, played only 30 minutes as a second-half substitute but his impact was immediate after a dull first half.

PSG, however, controlled the game as Idrissa Gueye, back after being rested in Wednesday's 2-0 home loss to Amiens, and Marco Verratti, returning from suspension, stabilized the midfield.

PSG have now won all their six matches in all competitions without conceding a goal with Gueye on the pitch.

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Olympique Lyonnais v Nantes - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - September 28, 2019 Olympique Lyonnais' Memphis Depay in action with Olympique Lyonnais' Memphis Depay REUTERS/Emmanuel Foudrot

Earlier, Olympique Lyonnais's winless streak stretched to seven games in all competitions as they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Nantes.

Nantes prevailed thanks to a 58th-minute own goal by Fernando Marcal and the Canaries, with 16 points from eight games, are third in the standings.

Lyon, who travel to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, dropped to 11th on nine points.

The outcome of the game increased the pressure on coach Sylvinho, who replaced Bruno Genesio during the close season, after club president Jean-Michel Aulas said this week that he expected results.

"We will talk tonight. The president is not happy, obviously," said sports director Juninho, who was recruited alongside Sylvinho. "We will see which decision he will make."

Monaco claimed their second victory of the season, also their second in a row, when they crushed Brest 4-1 at Louis-II.

Lille, who host Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, are fourth on 14 points following a 1-1 draw at Nice.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by David Holmes and Clare Fallon)

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