Neymar, Donnarumma carry PSG to much-needed victory

• 

Brazilian forward in Paris Saint-Germain Neymar was able to score his 10th goal of the season, giving his club a push forward 30 minutes into the match, but he was not alone in securing the win.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved his nets from a pentaly in the second half, solidifying PSG's 1-0 victory over Brest in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

The win over Brest pushed PSG back to the top of the standings and maintains their winning streak under new coach Christophe Galtier, though it was the Ligue 1 club's least convincing performance this season, given that their opponents had just suffered a massive 7-0 loss at home to Montpellier.

PSG is leading Lens by two points after the latter won 1-0 against Troyes on Friday. However, Marseille can tie with the leaders if they win against Lille at home later today.

"It is always difficult to play on the back of a Champions League game. So much energy goes into these matches, physically as well as mentally," Galtier said following the game.

"I wouldn’t say we were trying to play within ourselves but there was maybe not the same desire to make the effort that we have seen so far this season."

Galtier wanted to resist the temptation to bench at least one of his top three players, saying ahead of the match that he pondered leaving out Lionel Messi, though he realized that the Argentine "doesn't need a breather".

Ultimately, PSG was grateful to Donnarumma, as the Italian GK dived to save his goal 20 minutes before the match concluded to keep out a penalty performed by Islami Slimani, which was awarded to the Brest player due to a foul by Presnel Kimpember on Noah Fadiga.