Torres gives PSG first Ligue 1 win of season at Brest

Paris Saint-Germain secured their first Ligue 1 victory of the campaign as Ferran Torres’ early goal earned them a tense 1-0 win at Brest in Brittany on Sunday.

The reigning champions travelled west under pressure after last week’s home defeat by Monaco. A further dropped result would have left them without a league win in their opening four matches for the first time since 2007.

They made an immediate response. After five minutes, Joao Neves collected the ball on the edge of the area and played it to Ousmane Dembele, who found Torres. The Spain international took one touch before sending a first-time shot from about 25 yards into the bottom corner.

PSG continued to create openings, with Dembele testing Brest goalkeeper Egil Selvik. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reached the rebound but pulled his attempt wide.

Brest, playing on an emotional evening following the death of legendary manager Eric Roy, began to grow into the contest. Pathe Mboup fired over, while Ludovic Ajorque headed Kenny Lala’s cross narrowly wide.

Luis Enrique’s team suffered an injury setback before the interval when Achraf Hakimi was forced to leave the pitch. PSG lost some of their attacking fluency while adapting to the change, and Selvik made another save to keep out Kvaratskhelia.

The hosts went close to levelling five minutes into the second half after Nuno Mendes lost possession close to his own penalty area. Kamory Doumbia seized on the mistake and beat Matvey Safonov, but his shot struck the post.

PSG thought they had extended their lead when Bradley Locko turned the ball into his own net. However, the goal was disallowed after Warren Zaire-Emery was adjudged to have fouled the Brest defender.

Brest almost equalised moments later. Locko delivered for Doumbia, whose powerful header looked set to find the bottom corner, but Safonov produced a fine low save.

The visitors were increasingly forced to defend. Willian Pacho made a vital interception inside his own six-yard box after Mboup dispossessed Zaire-Emery, preventing another clear opportunity.

Enrique introduced attacking substitutes in an attempt to relieve the pressure, and they nearly combined for a second goal. Maghnes Akliouche carried the ball down the left and sent it across the penalty area, but Selvik reacted quickly to deny Neves as he slid in to meet the cross.

Safonov was required again late on when he kept out Mboup’s effort, with Brest pressing for an equaliser.

PSG held on for three valuable points, following their midweek European victory over Slovan Bratislava with their first domestic success of the season.

The result provides Enrique’s side with momentum before next week’s Le Classique against Marseille.