PARIS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Kylian Mbappe powered 10-man Paris Saint-Germain to beat Angers 2-1 at home, extending their advantage atop Ligue 1 table to 17 points over Monaco on Wednesday.
The 31st round duel was put forward as PSG had French League Cup final in sight early in April. Mbappe broke the deadlock as he latched onto Julian Draxler's stitching cross to finish a high-quality shot towards the far post in the 12th minute.
However, PSG were reduced to 10 men four minutes later, as Thiago Motta was shown a direct red card by match referee Sebastien Desiage, who thought that the Italian midfielder intentionally stamped on Angers defender Romain Thomas in fighting for ball possession.
PSG managed to double up their lead on another finish from Mbappe in the 25th minute, fed by left back Layvin Kurzawa. The 19-year-old Mbappe has tallied 13 goals in 21 league matches since joining from defending champions Monaco.
Angers' top scorer Karl Toko Ekambi came off the bench in the second half, before getting one back with 15 minutes remaining.
Mbappe almost enjoyed a hat-trick of the match, but only to see his shot hit the crossbar in the 83rd minute. Ekambi's last-minute effort to tie the score was also denied by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
After keeping their home record perfect in 16 league matches so far, PSG saw their margin over Monaco extended to 17 points with one more game played.
Other 31st round matches will be held on March 31 and April 1. Monaco, PSG's opponents in the French League Cup final, will visit Rennes on April 4.
