French leader PSG held by Ajaccio

PARIS (AP) – Paris Saint-Germain had midfielder Thiago Motta sent off on a frustrating night as it was held 0-0 by relegation battlers Ajaccio on Friday, opening the door for either Lyon or Marseille to move into top spot in the French league.

PSG had won its past four games without conceding a goal to head into the winter break ahead of Lyon and Marseille on goal difference, but this was one of PSG’s worst performances of the season as new signing Lucas Moura failed to spark a near lifeless attack.

The first half wasn’t played with much intensity and we didn’t score. We weren’t very efficient in front of goal, we should have used the width more.

Top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the best chance of the match when he volleyed over from close range midway through the first half and PSG was reduced to 10 men moments before the break when Motta clattered into midfielder Frederic Sammaratino from behind and was shown a straight red – PSG’s fifth red of the season.

PSG is one point ahead of Lyon and Marseille and could be overtaken by them this weekend. Both are up against teams in the relegation zone, as Lyon visits Troyes on Saturday and Marseille visits Sochaux on Sunday.

Earlier, Saint-Etienne was held to a 2-2 draw by Toulouse.