Paris Saint-Germain are on course to move three points clear at the top of Ligue 1 as they lead Metz 2-0 at half time at the Parc des Princes through goals from Marco Verratti and Edinson Cavani.
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After a quiet opening period that saw the home side dominate possession but fail to create much in front of goal, Blaise Matuidi wastefully fired over the top from Ezequiel Lavezzi's cutback on the 15-minute mark.
The miss, however, seemed to spur Laurent Blanc's side into action, and they took the lead in spectacular fashion midway through the first half thanks to Verratti's second goal of the season, and his first since January.
The Italian midfielder collected Javier Pastore's pass and curled a low effort beyond the dive of Anthony Mfa Meuzi and into the far corner from the edge of the area.
Verratti then picked out the surging run of Gregory van der Wiel from right-back five minutes before the break, but the Dutch defender failed to pick out an unmarked Lucas Digne at the back post.
However, the hosts did double their lead when Pastore found Cavani with another defence splitting-ball, and he held off the challenge of Kevin Lejeune and dinked the ball over Mfa Meuzi.
Joe Sharratt
