Neymar sent off as PSG lose to Lille
Neymar was sent off late on as a limping Jonathan David scored the only goal to give Lille a 1-0 make an impression on Paris Saint-Germain within their Ligue 1 title showdown on Saturday, an outcome that moves them three points clear at the very top.
Canadian striker David was fighting an ankle injury when he fired home in the 20th minute.
He was forced off soon after and emerged on crutches to watch the next half with heavy strapping where he had been caught by Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Without him Lille held on to beat PSG in a group game in the capital for the very first time in a quarter of a hundred years, with a frustrating afternoon for the hosts summed up when Neymar was dismissed.
The Brazilian and Lille defender Tiago Djalo were both shown second yellow cards following a shoving match.
It really is Neymar's second sending-off this year and his fourth since moving to France in a world-record deal in 2017.
The effect sees Lille take a large step towards an initial Ligue 1 title in a decade, just before the Qatari takeover of PSG which changed the facial skin of French football.
It might be a amazing achievement for the northerners to pip the Parisians, who have won seven of the last eight group crowns and face Bayern Munich away within their Champions Group quarter-final first leg in midweek.
"We happen to be top and we happen to be in the fight, but so can be Lyon, Paris and Monaco. There is not much in it," admitted Lille coach Christophe Galtier.
PSG have finally suffered three straight home group losses for the very first time since 2007, plus they trail Lille by three points with seven games left.
Monaco are actually another point behind found in third after beating Metz 4-0, but Lyon lost ground, dropping to five points off the lead in fourth with a 1-1 draw at fifth-placed Lens.
Mauricio Pochettino's PSG have been fancied to ease to some other league title after winning 4-2 in Lyon before the recent international break, but Saturday's result raises doubts about their credentials.
They have taken just one single point from four games against Lille and Monaco this year. Lyon also beat them in Paris.
"I am disappointed with the effect and at losing three important points. I am not worried but we will have to continue to keep fighting to the finish," said Pochettino.
"We will be an inconsistent side for lots of reasons but we will work to repair that."
