PSG Held By Nice To Leave Monaco Clear At Top Of Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain missed the chance to retake top spot in Ligue 1 after they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Nice on Sunday, leaving Monaco clear at the top going into the October international break. Nice had led at half-time on the Cote d'Azur thanks to a deflected strike late in the first half from their Tunisian international full-back Ali Abdi. However, PSG were much improved in the second half following coach Luis Enrique's decision to replace Randal Kolo Muani at the interval and bring on Lee Kang-in up front.

Their equaliser came from Nuno Mendes in the 52nd minute, with Ousmane Dembele setting up the Portuguese defender for a shot from outside the box on his weaker right foot which lacked power but found the bottom corner of the net.

Dembele's return was notable after the France winger was surprisingly dropped for the midweek Champions League defeat away to Arsenal.

He tested Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka on several occasions and PSG had chances to take all three points, including a Marquinhos header which came back off the post.

Luis Enrique's side have won just one of their last four games in all competitions and go into the international hiatus in second place in Ligue 1, two points behind Monaco.

A win for PSG in Nice would have seen them begin the weekend where they started it, above Monaco on goal difference.

"I am especially proud of my team for the way they played in the second half," said Luis Enrique, who expressed his satisfaction with PSG's start to the season.

"I think it has been a promising start. I like what I am seeing. I think it is much better than our start to last season, but the important thing is to win the league and compete in all competitions," said the Spaniard, who chose not to