Paris Saint Germain 2 : 2 Lille OSC - Lille hold PSG

Posted Monday, December 23, 2013 by PA

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 27th goal of the season in all competitions as Paris St Germain and Lille took a share of the spoils in a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes.

The talismanic Swede fired the hosts into a first-half lead with a deflected free-kick before Rio Mavuba levelled on the stroke of half-time for Rene Girard's men.

Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou fired Lille into a second-half lead from the penalty spot shortly after the break but Montenegro international Marko Basa put through his own net to hand PSG a valuable point in their hunt for back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.

The result leaves the visitors a point behind Monaco in third place and four behind their hosts who go into the winter break top of the table.

Both sides were guilty of giving up possession too easily in what was a nervy opening, but it was Lille who had the first notable chance with just over 10 minutes played when Kalou's near-post effort ended up the wrong side of the post from Nolan Roux's dangerous delivery.

Despite Girard having set his team out to close the hosts down at every opportunity, former Les Dogues full-back Lucas Digne managed to wriggle free down the left and, after picking out Ezequiel Lavezzi in the area, only a magnificent double save from Vincent Enyeama prevented PSG taking a valuable lead.

Laurent Blanc's men began to turn the screw though and Thiago Silva was gifted with a perfect opportunity to open the scoring at the half-hour mark but, with the goal at his mercy from two yards, the Brazilian somehow managed to miss the target.

That only served as a warning for the visitors and PSG took the lead moments later when Ibrahimovic took charge off a 20-yard free-kick and, with the aid of a slight deflection, beat Enyeama in emphatic style to the delight of the vociferous crowd.

Thiago Silva should have doubled the Parisiens' lead moments later but his header from a Thiago Motta was kept out and Lille took advantage to level just before the break.

Kalou escaped down the right and, after keeping himself onside, his delivery found Mavuba who beat Salvatore Sirigu with an effort from 12 yards despite being lucky to still be on the pitch after an earlier clash with Ibrahimovic.

PSG's evening got even worse just after the interval when the visitors were awarded a penalty after Digne brought down former team-mate Franck Beria and referee Fredy Fautrel pointed at the spot.

Kalou took responsibility and the Ivory Coast international showed all the composure in the world to send Sirigu the wrong way and silence the Paris crowd.

The expected PSG response came and, after Marvin Martin appeared to handle in the area but nothing was given, Enyeama was called upon to turn Marco Verratti's clever effort around the left post.

However, with less than 20 minutes to play, the Nigerian shot-stopper failed to claim Lucas Moura's corner and a helpless Basa inexplicably poked the ball into his own net to level the scores once again.

Ibrahimovic flashed another 20-yard free-kick just wide of the left post before Basa almost made up for his own goal with a header that skimmed the bar for Lille but, in the end, Fautrel brought a pulsating clash to an end with both sides settling for a point.