Ibrahimovic scores header as PSG wins 1-0 at Toulouse
PARIS (AP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a late header as runaway leader Paris Saint-Germain overcame a poor first half to beat Toulouse 1-0 and move provisionally 23 points clear at the top of the French league on Saturday.
Lurking near the back post, Ibrahimovic lost his marker on a corner to nod in from close range in the 73rd minute for his league-leading 16th goal.
Moments earlier, he was fortunate not to be booked for diving after theatrically tumbling inside the penalty area.
Chasing a fourth straight title, PSG has won 18 and drawn three of 21 games to completely crush the competition, but this was not a convincing performance against a side placed 19th.
"The important thing is that we win, even when we play like this," winger Lucas said.
Toulouse went close to scoring when striker Wissam Ben Yedder struck the crossbar with a rasping drive in the first half.
"It was a tough game for us against a team that is fighting to stay up," PSG right back Serge Aurier said.
The sides meet again in the French Cup in Paris on Tuesday, and coach Laurent Blanc has a growing injury list.
He was already without winger Angel di Maria, center half Thiago Silva, and midfielder Javier Pastore, and defender Marquinhos limped off during the game.
Ben Yedder had eight goals in his past five games, and caused problems throughout with his sharp movement.
Shortly after his header was saved by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in the first half, he collected a long pass from forward Martin Braithwaite, toyed with PSG center back David Luiz, and struck a powerful shot against the bar.
But PSG improved after the break.
Ibrahimovic warmed up with a low shot that went wide and Lucas fluffed a great chance after some intricate approach work from Ibrahimovic and striker Edinson Cavani.
PSG's goal came when Lucas floated over a corner, Luiz rose to head the ball firmly down, and Ibrahimovic reacted quickly to place the ball under the body of 16-year-old goalie Alban Lafont.
Lafont did better in injury time when he made a fine two-handed save to beat away Ibrahimovic's powerful free kick from 30 meters.
Later Saturday, it was: Troyes vs. Rennes; Guingamp vs. Nantes; Bordeaux vs. Lille; Bastia vs. Montpellier, and Ajaccio vs. Reims.
Monaco can trim PSG's huge lead to 21 points and climb up to second place if it wins at Lorient on Sunday - when struggling Marseille faces Normandy side Caen and Saint-Etienne hosts bitter local rival Lyon.
No Lyon supporters are allowed because of the high risk of incidents between rival fans.
Angers lost 2-1 away to third-place Nice on Friday.