Paris Saint-Germain survived the second-half dismissal of Yohan Cabaye as they were held to a 0-0 home draw by Evian on Friday night.
Missing injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the defending Ligue 1 champions lacked sharpness up front and a 64th-minute red card for France midfielder Cabaye could have proved costly.
However, Evian were unable to make the most of their advantage to ensure PSG remain unbeaten after three matches this season.
The absence of Ibrahimovic to a back injury seemed to unsettle Laurent Blanc’s side, who needed 23 minutes to produce their first meaningful attempt on goal, with Edinson Cavani curling a 20-yard free-kick inches over the crossbar.
They should have then gone ahead when Lucas freed Cavani for a first-time shot which had Evian goalkeeper Jesper Hansen scrambling to clear the ball.
Lucas came even closer to breaking the deadlock for the champions early in the second half, controlling a long ball from Javier Pastore before firing a low right-footed shot which brushed the post on its way past.
Cabaye then paid the price for a clumsy challenge on Fabien Camus which earned him a second yellow card. And it could have been worse for the hosts had Daniel Wass or Nicolas Benezet taken late chances for Evian.
Early leaders Bordeaux are in action away to Nice today, while Marseille will look for their first win under new coach Marcelo Bielsa away to French Cup holders Guingamp.
LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
Saturday
19:00 Guingamp v Marseille
22:00 Bastia v Toulouse
22:00 Lille v Lorient
22:00 Montpellier v Metz
22:00 Nice v Bordeaux
22:00 Reims v Caen
Sunday
16:00 Lyon v Lens
19:00 St Etienne v Rennes
23:00 Nantes v Monaco
