Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came off the bench to score Paris Saint-Germain survived a Le Mans scare to win 3-1 League 1 saturday evening
The home underdogs took the lead with a Lucas Beraldo penalty in the first half before Louis Mafouta equalized for Le Mans early in the second half.
Kvaratskhelia restored their lead just two minutes after their introduction before Maghnes Akliouche slotted home to make it 3-1.
PSG were made to work early against a spirited Le Mans side, who started positively at the Parc des Princes and pressed aggressively.
The visitors registered the first shot of the game, with Jean Vercruysse deflecting over from distance in the seventh minute.
But it was PSG who would find the first goal in the 21st minute with a penalty after Achraf Hakimi was brought down in the box. Beraldo stepped forward and scored to put them in front.
The visitors equalized just 10 minutes into the game, but Mafouta scored his fourth goal of the season to stun Parc des Princes. The assistant referee initially flagged for offside, but replays showed Mafouta had timed his run correctly and the goal stood.
The goal prompted Luis Enrique to introduce Kvaratskhelia and it took just two minutes for the Georgia winger to tie the game, scoring from close range after a set piece.
Just seven minutes later, the home side had a two-goal lead as Akliouche raced forward from the halfway line before firing in a fine finish at the near post.
Dame Gueye came close to a goal for Le Mans in the 71st minute, hitting the post as the visitors looked to reduce the deficit once again.
The Parisians were able to see the victory and climb up to fifth place in the table. The reigning European champions visit Manchester City in a mouth-watering Champions League clash next Wednesday.
PSG: Champions League matches
