PSG drop first points in draw at Reims

Paris Saint-Germain dropped their first points of the Ligue 1 season on Saturday after needing an Ousmane Dembele equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at Reims.

Reims took an early lead when Japan winger Keito Nakamura beat Marquinhos to
compatriot Junya Ito’s cross and fired under PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov,
again filling in for the injured Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG lost new signing Desire Doue to injury in the second half, with his
replacement Dembele scoring within minutes of coming on as he turned in Joao
Neves’ bouncing cross at the far post.

Dembele has four goals in five league games to start the campaign, already
eclipsing his return of three during his first season at the club.

Luis Enrique’s side nudged three points clear at the top after extending
their record unbeaten run away from home to 27 matches, the longest streak in
Ligue 1 history.

However PSG, who kicked off their Champions League campaign with an
unconvincing 1-0 win over Girona on Wednesday, could be caught by Marseille
and Monaco.

Marseille go to Lyon on Sunday while Monaco host Le Havre fresh off their 2-1
victory over Barcelona earlier in the week.

M’Bala Nzola’s 96th-minute equaliser earned Lens a 1-1 draw at Rennes and
preserved their unbeaten start under new boss Will Still. Arnaud Kalimuendo
had put Rennes ahead from the penalty spot in the first half.

Lille and Strasbourg split the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw as Jonathan
David’s late penalty spared the hosts from a fifth successive loss in all
competitions.

The lone of four French clubs not to win midweek in the Champions League,
Lille took a two-goal lead courtesy of a brace from Kosovo winger Edon
Zhegrova.

A youthful Strasbourg side coached by Liam Rosenior replied with three
unanswered goals — from Andrey Santos, Emanuel Emegha and Sebastian Nanasi –
– to go in front but they failed to hold on for victory. (BSS/AFP)