Neymar on target as PSG extend Ligue 1 lead

Paris St Germain were made to wait as Neymar struck in the second half to earn a 1-0 win at Toulouse Saturday that extended the Ligue 1 leader's advantage to 12 points. The Brazil forward struck in the 68th minute to put PSG on 65 points from 25 games with arch-rival and second-placed AS Monaco on 53 after Stevan Jovetic inspired them to a 4-0 win at Angers. Olympique de Marseille are third on 52 after a 2-2 draw at St Etienne Friday.

Neymar in 2018 ??? ?Games: 7 ⚽Goals: 11 Can he continue that form at @realmadrid on Wednesday? pic.twitter.com/9BTYZN8pwC

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 10, 2018

Toulouse, who are 15th on 26 points and only one point above safety, held firm in the first half thanks to a spirited performance by goalkeeper Alban Lafont. But like most of PSG's opponent this season, they eventually cracked even if coach Unai Emery had rested top striker Edinson Cavani ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 clash at Real Madrid. Neymar collected Angel di Maria's cross and found the back of the net as his curled shot was slightly deflected by Toulouse captain Issa Diop.

Neymar scored for PSG today in a 1-0 win vs Toulouse in Ligue 1, his 19th league goal of the season. He's scored or assisted on 30 goals in league play this season, tied with Lionel Messi for most in Europe's top 5 leagues. pic.twitter.com/L5FzhwEaN8

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 10, 2018

He came close to doubling the tally 10 minutes later but his right-foot effort crashed on to the post. Neymar hit the woodwork again in the 80th when his shot struck Lafont's crossbar as PSG finished strongly. In Angers, Monaco cantered to a routine win with a Ludovic Butelle own goal and two strikes by Jovetic. Defender Andrea Raggi completed the rout 19 minutes from time.

Only two men have scored or assisted 30 league goals in Europe's top 5 leagues this season. Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior pic.twitter.com/sAWkmvaETx

— bet365 (@bet365) February 10, 2018

RESULTS Toulouse 0 PSG 1 (Neymar 68) Angers 0 Monaco 4 (Butelle 10-og, Jovetic 30, 65, Raggi 71) Bordeaux 3 (Kounde 31, Lerager 39, Kamano 78) Amiens 2 (Mendoza 79, Kakuta 90) Dijon 3 (Tavares 61, 78-P, Kwon 84) Nice 2 (Melou 65, Plea 67) Guingamp 0 Caen 0 Metz 0 Montpellier 1 (Sio 24)   SUNDAY'S MATCHES Strasbourg v Troyes, Nantes v Lille and Lyon v Rennes   POINTS TABLE Teams P W D L GD Pts PSG 25 21 2 2 59 65 Monaco 25 16 5 4 34 53 Marseille 25 15 7 3 26 52 Lyon 24 14 6 4 26 48