Danilo Pereira heads late winner as PSG scrape 2-1 victory at Lorient

Ligue 1 leaders need late goal from Portuguese defender to restore five-point lead at the top

Paris Saint-Germain's Danilo Pereira, left, celebrates with Renato Sanches after scoring the winner in the 2-1 Ligue 1 victory at Lorient on November 6, 2022. AFP

Danilo Pereira celebrates after scoring. AFP

Lorient's Nigerian forward Terem Moffi, second left, celebrates with teammates after levelling at 1-1. AFP

Terem Moffi is congratulated by teammates after scoring. AFP

Paris St Germain's Neymar celebrates scoring their first goal at Lorient with Achraf Hakimi and Hugo Ekitike. Reuters

PSG's Neymar celebrates with teammates after scoring. AP

Neymar celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal. AP

Neymar scores for PSG. Reuters

PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts. AP

Lorient's Burkinabe forward Dango Ouattara fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain needed a late goal from defender Danilo Pereira on Sunday to scrape a 2-1 win at Lorient and restore their five-point lead at the top of the French league.

Pereira headed home Neymar's corner in the 81st minute as unbeaten PSG maintained their comfortable gap over second-placed Lens.

Lionel Messi was rested for the game because of some inflammation in his Achilles tendon. The Argentina star, who will look to win the World Cup for the first time in his stellar career, is expected to resume training next week.

Messi was replaced in attack by 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike, who marked a rare start by setting up Neymar's opening goal after nine minutes. Neymar's 11th league goal moved him level with teammate Kylian Mbappe on top of the scoring charts.

Fourth-placed Lorient equalised in the 53rd minute through club top scorer Terem Moffi's ninth goal of the campaign.

Midfielder Enzo Le Fee sent the Nigeria striker running clear, veteran central defender Sergio Ramos didn't cover him and Moffi fired past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Moffi hit the crossbar shortly afterwards as Lorient got on top, but then failed to pick up Pereira from Neymar's corner.