PARIS — French league leader Paris Saint-Germain remained undefeated at the halfway point after beating Caen 3-0 away Saturday.
Angel di Maria, who scored twice, underlined the good start to his PSG career since joining from Manchester United in the off-season. He has nine goals in all competitions with 10 assists.
His first goal was a crisp finish after Caen failed to clear a cross from right back Serge Aurier. He added his second five minutes after the break, clipping the ball neatly over goalkeeper Remi Vercoutre from close range.
In between, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a spectacular league-leading 15th goal with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area. PSG has not lost in the league since a 3-2 defeat away to Bordeaux on March 15.
Caen was awarded a late penalty when captain Thiago Silva barged into striker Andy Delort, but PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp dived to his right to push away Delort’s shot.
Heading into the winter break, PSG sits 19 points clear of Monaco, which was held to a goalless draw at Troyes, as the bottom club recorded its third successive draw despite playing almost the entire match with 10 men.
With 51 points, PSG has the highest total midway through a season — one more than Lyon’s tally in 2006 — and PSG’s 48 goals is also the highest tally.
PSG’s defense has also been strong, with only nine goals conceded in 19 games, giving coach Laurent Blanc’s side a massive goal difference of plus-39.
Villa draws with Newcastle
Newcastle and Aston Villa drew 1-1 in a rain-soaked encounter at St. James’ Park between two sides fighting relegation from the Premier League Saturday.
The draw keeps Villa last in the standings, 10 points behind the safety of 17th place, occupied by Newcastle.
Perez ties Deportivo record
Lucas Perez equaled a club record for Deportivo La Coruna by scoring for a seventh straight Spanish league game to help earn a 2-0 win over Eibar Saturday.
Perez matched the milestone of scoring in seven consecutive rounds held by Bebeto since the 1992-93 season.
It was his 12th goal this season, pulling him level with Real Sociedad’s Imanol Agirretxe as the competition’s third leading scorers behind Barcelona pair Neymar (14) and Luis Suarez (13).
Elsewhere, Valencia coach Gary Neville remained winless in his second league match after a 2-2 draw at home against Getafe.
Espanyol won in the league debut of coach Constantin Galca, while Sevilla drew 0-0 at Real Betis. — Agencies
