Zlatan Ibrahimovic, centre, in action during the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Troyes. Yoan Valat / EPA
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, centre, in action during the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Troyes. Yoan Valat / EPA

Paris Saint-Germain crowned Ligue 1 autumn champions after win on emotional day



Paris Saint-Germain are guaranteed to end 2015 on top of the Ligue 1 table after a 4-1 win against Troyes on a day marked by tributes to the victims of the recent terror attacks.

It was a routine win for PSG with Edinson Cavani and Layvin Kurzawa finding the net either side of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty before youngster Jean-Kevin Augustin wrapped up the points.

Thomas Ayasse got one back for the away side but the win for PSG means they are still unbeaten domestically this season and are so far clear of their rivals that they have already secured the symbolic title of autumn champions for the team that tops the table at Christmas.

“It is a good thing to be autumn champions because it confirms that we are picking up an enormous amount of points, but it does not mean we are certain to win the title,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said despite his team finishing the day 15 points clear at the top.

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The match was also significant for being the first top-level game to be played in the French capital since the terror attacks in the city and outside the Stade de France during France’s game with Germany on November 13 that left 130 dead and many more injured.

With France still in a state of emergency, there were stringent security checks on the way into the Parc des Princes, and there was also a moving tribute before the game kicked off.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and other sporting superstars appeared on a video played on big screens with each repeating the slogan ‘Je Suis Paris’ (I am Paris) that PSG also sported on their shirts.

A huge French flag greeted the players as they came out while ‘La Marseillaise’ was sung and a minute’s silence held, just as had been the case across France and elsewhere in Europe last weekend.

France’s prime minister Manuel Valls and the Emir of Qatar were among the crowd for the game as the club owned by the Gulf state further demonstrated their dominance over the rest of Ligue 1.

PSG were looking to make it 24 Ligue 1 games unbeaten against a Troyes side who had still not won since returning to the top flight in the summer and it was a largely one-sided contest.

Cavani had already come close twice before he opened the scoring 20 minutes in, meeting Angel Di Maria’s assist with a first-time finish after the visitors lost possession cheaply in their own half.

At the other end Kevin Trapp had to intervene twice with good saves from Fabien Camus and Benjamin Nivet to ensure Paris remained in front going into half-time.

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The hosts went on to double their lead just before the hour, however.

A penalty was awarded when Lucas was brought down inside the area by Chris Mavinga and Ibrahimovic stepped up to send Paul Bernardoni the wrong way from the spot and score his 10th league goal of the campaign.

The third goal arrived midway through the second half when a Di Maria cross was headed away by the Troyes defence but only as far as Kurzawa, who controlled on his chest before volleying low into the bottom-right corner.

Augustin, who had replaced Cavani, got the fourth goal with six minutes left, his shot from 25 yards going through the legs of Bernardoni.

Ayasse got one back with a fine strike in injury time but Troyes remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Paris are now 15 points clear of Angers who moved second with a 2-0 home win over Lille thanks to two goals in five first-half minutes through Gilles Sunu and Ismael Traore.

Knocked out of the Uefa Champions League in midweek, Lyon’s recent struggles continued when they lost 4-2 at home to Montpellier on Friday.

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Kamindu Mendis bio

Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis

Born: September 30, 1998

Age: 20 years and 26 days

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team

Batting style: Left-hander

Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'

JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.

“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”

November 26:  ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’

SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue. 

SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."

October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'

MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.

“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December." 

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It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
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Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 1

Mata 11'

Chelsea 1

Alonso 43'

The biog

Marital status: Separated with two young daughters

Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo

Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian

Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness

Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon

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Name: ARDH Collective
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
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