Neymar’s fine strike helped Paris St Germain secure a 2-0 win over Troyes to move 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Both Lyon, who lost at relegation-battlers Lille, and Monaco, beaten away by Nantes, had failed to make up any ground in Wednesday’s earlier kick-offs.
It looked set to be a frustrating night for Unai Emery’s men as Troyes, who saw a goal ruled out for offside, produced an organised display at Parc des Princes before Edinson Cavani had his penalty saved.
Neymar’s long-range effort broke the deadlock with 15 minutes left on the clock
The Brazilian put in a man-of-the-match performance to secure all three points for the hosts
Edinson Cavani points to and thanks Neymar who set him up to double the lead late on
Neymar, though, continued to live up to his world-record transfer fee when the Brazil forward lashed in a low, angled effort from just outside the box to finally break the deadlock on 73 minutes, before Cavani added a late second.
PSG, who had won away at champions Monaco over the weekend, started brightly.
Javier Pastore’s shot was blocked before Cavani fired over after being played in by a quickly-taken free-kick.
Troyes just about cleared their lines after Angel Di Maria had raced clear, but was closed down by the Troyes keeper before Cavani’s pass failed to pick out Neymar with the goal unguarded.
The visitors, looking to build on the 3-0 win over Angers and keep moving up the table, almost snatched a shock goal after half an hour when Samuel Grandsir got clear to force a good reaction stop from Kevin Trapp.
The 30-year-old misses a first-half penalty after he was brought down in the Troyes area
The Troyes goalkeeper guessed correctly to go to his right to keep the scores level
Cavani aimed for the left-hand corner but Troyes keeper Samassa guessed correctly
The Uruguayan looks dejected after failing to put Paris Saint-Germain a goal up on Wednesday
Samassa spoke to the 30-year-old striker before the penalty was taken in the first half
When Grandsir did have the ball in the net soon afterwards with a close-range finish, the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
PSG had the chance to take the lead five minutes before half-time when Cavani was tugged back by Karim Azamoum and fell to the floor.
However, goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa guessed right to make a fine low save as Troyes went into the break on level terms.
PSG continued to probe after the restart, but were again left unrewarded as Neymar flashed a 20-yard effort wide.
The Brazilian, though, managed to breakthrough in the 73rd minute when picking the ball up on the left, some 25 yards out, before powering forward and unleashing an angled drive across the keeper and into the far corner.
Troyes substitute Suk Hyun-Jun send a close-range header goalwards, which Trapp pushed away before again being tested by the South Korean.
Any hopes of a dramatic comeback, though, were ended a minute from time when Cavani latched onto a pass from Neymar, who broke down the left and cut into the penalty area, to slot past Samassa and continue PSG’s impressive form.
PSG were frustrated in the first 45 minutes at the Parc des Princes as emotions boiled over
Neymar looked lively as ever throughout the game as PSG took home all three points at home