Paris Saint-Germain went into tonight's clash with Bordeaux looking to further extend their lead over second-placed AS Monaco, while the visitors were seeking to mount a revival having suffered four defeats in their last five matches.
The hosts dominated the opening half, but were unable to take a lead into the break as Lucas Moura, Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasted a number of chances.
However, PSG showed just enough invention in the second half as Ibrahimovic and Alex grabbed the goals to earn Laurent Blanc's side three vital points.
You can find out how the game developed by reading our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good evening everyone and welcome to tonight's live coverage as Paris Saint-Germain take on Bordeaux in Ligue 1.
PSG have experienced a few mishaps in the past week, following a poor draw against Guingamp last weekend, while also crashing out of the Coupe de France against Montpellier HSC.
Laurent Blanc's side will be looking to secure a vital three points this evening before they head into their crunch clash with second-placed AS Monaco next weekend.
News in tonight is suggesting that new PSG signing Yohan Cabaye makes the bench, with Thiago Silva also coming back into the team. We'll get you the full lineups shortly.
Some team news for you now...
Paris Saint-Germain starting XI: Sirigu; Silva, Alex, Maxwell, Van der Wiel; Motta, Matuidi, Pastore, Lucas; Cavani, Ibrahimovic
Bordeaux starting XI: Carrasso, Henrique, Sane, Faubert, Orban, Mariano, N'Guemo, Traore, Sertic, Saivet, Maurice-Belay
The visitors have their own issues to sort out tonight, with Bordeaux losing four of their last five games. However their standout 2-0 victory over St Etienne last weekend may suggest that a revival could be on the cards.
A win tonight for Bordeaux would see them move level on points with fourth-placed Etienne, who don't play their next league fixture until tomorrow.
Here's a quick look at the benches for both sides, with new signing Cabaye finding himself among the PSG substitutes.
PSG subs: Douchez, Marquinhos, Digne, Cabaye, Menez, Lavezzi, Ongenda
Bordeaux subs: Olimpa, Brechet, Chalme, Planus, Biyogo Poko, Bellion, Hoarau
PSG will be favourites tonight, surely? Though the visitors do have an impressive away record this season, having lost only two games away from home this campaign.
History doesn't look to kindly on Bordeaux, however, with PSG winning on the last three occasions the sides have met.
For me it's going to be hard to look beyond the Parisians this evening; what with the opportunity to further extend their lead over AS Monaco and the in-form partnership of Cavani and Ibrahimovic up front.
Full house tonight at the Parc de Princes as the players make their way out onto the pitch.
Big boost for PSG to have Thiago Silva back in their side tonight. Hopefully he'll be able to sure up their shaky defence on set pieces.
Here we go then, PSG get us underway in their home blue strip, kicking from right to left...
The hosts already on the front foot as the ball is fed out wide to Maxwell on the left, but his cross is poor and is cleared away for a corner by the first defender.
CLOSE! The resulting corner sees the ball drop free in the box where Lucas is crowded out as he tries to stab at the loose ball.
Some nice work from Ibrahimovic sees him take the ball out of the air before feeding Motta on the right. It looks as though Henrique gives him a tug inside the box as he attempts to get the shot away. A penalty, surely... It looked more like a rugby tackle than anything that belongs in football. The referee has a perfect view too.
All PSG in the opening stages, with the ball being played out wide at every given opportunity as the Parisians look to make use of their pace down the flanks.
Maxwell is riding high up the pitch at the moment as the hosts work the ball in neat triangles around the box while looking for an opening.
Cavani is looking extremely bright. He pulls in deep to draw out the defender, but the lofted through ball misses the advancing Ibrahimovic who looks to make use of the space created by the striker's movement.
Some nice play from Matuidi finds Ibrahimovic who then tries to flick the ball over the defender's head towards Cavani who makes the run in behind. Great invention as PSG try to unlock the door.
Bordeaux are yet to offer anything thus far. Each time they gain possession they're robbed in midfield and PSG move the ball forward again. It's like watching a carousel in full swing.
N'Guemo finds himself with space just outside of the box, but he lashes horribly at the ball and it flies wide of Sirigu's post.
It's looking rather congested in midfield. The full-backs could be the difference this evening.
PSG work the ball nicely in front of the Bordeaux box until Lucas finally gets bored of the subtleties and crashes in a shot that is blocked on its way to goal.
Ibrahimovic lines the ball up for a direct free kick in a dangerous position, however his effort is hit straight into the wall. Disappointing to say the least...
Great run from Lucas who weaves in and out of the visitors' midfield. As he advances Cavani pulls away to the left and makes room for a potentially perfect ball. However, the midfielder makes the wrong decision and decides to go it alone and is brought down. Cavani looks a little miffed.
Bordeaux produce their second shot of the evening having robbed the ball in an advanced position allowing Sertic to rattle in an effort from distance, which is comfortably held by Sirigu in the PSG goal.
Cavani makes a superb run across the box and he is found with a through ball, but Henrique does brilliantly to get across and block the shot as it looks destined to settle in the net.
Wasteful from Lucas this time as the midfielder finds space inside the box. Instead of getting off an effort at goal, he tries to lob the ball over the defender and the chance disappears.
Not much creativity from PSG tonight. The midfield looks more like it's there to protect than to create. The hosts do have Cabaye on the bench this evening; he could be key if introduced later in the game.
PSG move the ball a little quicker this time and it almost works, though the resulting shot from Lucas is blocked. They'll be looking for a little more of that.
ALMOST! Two chances in one. The ball is flying around in the box as both Ibrahimovic and Maxwell take a swipe, but somehow it escapes both of them and is cleared from danger.
Bordeaux are hanging on in here. They haven't been in too much danger, though they haven't seen too much of the ball. Their best chance could come from a set-piece.
A rather tame end to the half so far. PSG are keeping the ball patiently, but aren't able to deliver the killer pass. Pastore leaves his foot in during a challenge as he shows his frustration.
HALF TIME: PSG 0-0 BORDEAUX
PSG end the half a little frustrated then. They've had so much possession but have been able to do little with it. They might want to look at changing the midfield, perhaps the introduction of Cabaye could bring a little more creativity into the match.
The visitors won't be too disheartened by how things stand. They've been thoroughly resolute and haven't given the hosts much of a sniff. They might want to try to retain the ball a little better when they do get it in the second half, though.
Such is the industrial nature of PSG's midfield, Ibrahimovic is having to drop far too deep to try and foster some creativity, leaving Cavani a little isolated in attack.
The longer this continues, the happier Bordeaux will feel. All it takes is a piece of individual brilliance or a set-piece and this game could be turned on its head.
PSG will feel slightly aggrieved after that penalty appeal. It probably should've been given too with Motta clearly being tugged to the ground right in the referee's eye-line.
The teams are making their way back out onto the pitch as we await the start of the second half.
KICK OFF! Here we go, Bordeaux get proceedings back underway.
More of the same really in the opening stages as PSG get the carousel moving again. The ball is flicked over the defence as Ibrahimovic moves forward but is crowded out at the vital moment.
Great piece of play from the visitors who exchange a neat one-two inside the box, before Silva gets across and swipes away the danger.
Cavani tries to go it alone by cutting in from the left and letting fly with a right-footed shot. However, the keeper watches comfortably as the ball sails over the crossbar.
PSG finally decide to bring the full-backs into play and Van der Wiel almost makes the difference as he delivers a great ball into the box, which is cleared away by a defender who gets into Ibrahimovic's path.
Good work again from Lucas as he gets past the left full-back with some neat skill, however his cross into the box is poor and doesn't make it past the first defender.
GOAL! PSG 1-0 BORDEAUX (ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC 58 mins)
Controversial. I'm not so sure this should have stood. Lucas is fed the ball as he returns from an offside position, before whipping the ball across the box for Ibrahimovic to tap home. The replays show, however, that Lucas doesn't come back in time and is actually offside. Bordeaux have every right to feel hard done by.
ALMOST! Nearly an identical goal as PSG look to double their lead. Lucas is afforded too much space again and he squares the ball to Pastore, who can only lash his shot straight at the defender with the goal gaping.
The hosts should go on to seal this with comfort. They look to be keeping the ball tidily after the goal. I can't recall the visitors having strung more than four passes together in this second period.
SUBSTITUTE... Roars go out around the ground as Cabaye is introduced into the fray. He comes on to replace Pastore.
PSG's new signing settles in straight away as he looks to collect the ball and orchestrate things in midfield. He exchanges some neat passes with Cavani, but the resulting forward ball is wayward.
The crowd stands in anticipation as Cabaye lines up a free kick just outside of the box, but his delivery is poor and doesn't make it past the first man in the wall.
SUBSTITUTE... Cavani gets caught by Sane and sticks up his hand to signal for a substitution. He'll play no further part as he is replaced by Lavezzi.
That piece of misfortune may turn out to be beneficial in the outcome of this game. Lavezzi has bags of pace and may be able to make better use of Bordeaux's tiredness in the final stages.
CLOSE! Bordeaux are doing their best to push up high in a bid to put some pressure on PSG, but as they push higher Ibrahimovic slips in behind before being declared offside by a matter of inches. That could've been game-over.
The game seems to be petering out. Bordeaux don't have much to offer going forward and PSG appear happy to sit on their one-goal lead. They haven't been sparkling this evening, but they've shown enough intent to just about edge this encounter.
Whistles are already starting to sound around the ground. The home fans know that this hasn't been anything to shout about, but three points will be vital going into their crunch clash against Monaco next weekend.
PSG work the ball nicely in a rare showing of invention in these final minutes as the ball is continuously flicked across the box at pace where it comes to Motta, but he isn't able to get it under control and the opportunity slips away.
POST! Cabaye should make it 2-0 as Lavezzi dinks a lovely ball into the box where the new signing is waiting to head home. However his glancing effort crashed back off the post.
GOAL! GOAL! PSG 2-0 Bordeaux (ALEX 88 MINS)
That just about settles things. Having hit the post, Cabaye is able to win a corner. The resulting ball into the box is flicked home by centre-back Alex who shows this finesse of a world-class striker to guide the ball into the bottom corner.
FULL TIME: PSG 2-0 Bordeaux
So there we go, PSG do just about enough to beat a less-than-average Bordeaux side. The visitors showed great defensive qualities, but didn't do enough to threaten the hosts who made use of their superior attacking talents to secure a vital three points.
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
