PSG 0-0 Toulouse: Edinson Cavani made to rue missed chances as hosts are held to frustrating stalemate
- An under-strength Paris Saint-Germain were held to a goalless draw by Toulouse
- Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi were among those not to start
- Edinson Cavani had PSG's best chances, striking the upright in the second half
- Hosts move above Nice on goal difference but Monaco remain three points clear
Paris St Germain looked nothing like the side that destroyed Barcelona in midweek as they missed out on the chance to move just a point behind Ligue 1 leaders Monaco when labouring to a goalless draw at home to Toulouse on Sunday.
The hosts were instead flat, with Pascal Dupraz carrying out his game plan to perfection despite the Toulouse manager being sent to the stands in the second half.
PSG came close to taking the lead in the first period following swift interchange between Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Moura, but the Brazilian was thwarted low down to his right by Alban Lafont.
Edinson Cavani shows his frustration at having missed a chance to score against Toulouse
The Uruguayan striker saw a first-half shot whistle wide of the upright at the Parc des Princes
Cavani then came within inches of adding to his tally of 34 goals in all competitions this season but the Uruguayan striker dragged a first-time shot just wide of the upright.
Christopher Jullien was fortunate not to concede a penalty when the ball hit his hand in the box, before Cavani struck a post from inside the six-yard area as Toulouse began to ride their luck.
Marco Verratti, who came on at half-time after being initially rested in one of five changes to the side that beat Barcelona, showed his class by setting up Julian Draxler to be denied by Lafont before having an effort kept out himself.
Marquinhos very nearly broke the deadlock only for his own team-mate Presnel Kimpembe to block his header on the goal-line as PSG continued to force the issue.
Unai Emery saw his PSG side cruise to victory over Barcelona but was frustrated on Sunday
An animated Toulouse manager Pascal Dupraz was sent to the stands during the second half
Christopher Nkunku is brought o the ground by Swiss defender Jacques Francois Moubandje
PSG are three points behind leaders Monaco
Toulouse, who beat PSG 2-0 back in September, had manager Pascal Dupraz sent off after hurling a water bottle on to the pitch in frustration after a clash between Marquinhos and Martin Braithwaite.
But Dupraz's frustration only served to further galvanise the away side, who had previously taken just three points from their last eight away league games.
Jullien nearly sliced the ball into his own net from Serge Aurier's cross in the closing stages, but the visitors held firm to snatch a deserved point.
While PSG move above Nice into second place, Unai Emery will almost certainly see the stalemate as a missed opportunity to really put pressure on leaders Monaco, who remain three points clear despite their 1-1 draw with Bastia on Friday night.
Lucas Moura was handed a start in the absence of Angel Di Maria and he was lively throughout
Presnel Kimpembe rises for an aerial challenge with Alexis Blin as Kelvin Amian watches on
Cavani's cross was deflected goalwards and the striker could only hit the post on the rebound
The defending Ligue 1 champions travel to face Marseille at the Stade Velodrome next Sunday, while Toulouse - who move above Guingamp into eighth on goal difference - face struggling Nancy next Saturday.
Earlier, Olympique Lyonnais cemented their fourth place when Corentin Tolisso, Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir struck three times within 11 minutes to give them a 4-2 comeback win against Dijon.
Lyon, who have a game in hand, have 43 points and lead fifth-placed St Etienne by four points.
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