PARIS (AFP) - Lionel Messi delivered a hat-trick of assists as Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain came from behind to beat 10-man St Etienne 3-1.
Former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos made his first appearance for PSG, who saw an early goal from Neymar ruled out for offside.
Denis Bouanga then fired the hosts, who sit bottom of the table, into a shock lead after 23 minutes at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
The game turned on the dismissal of St Etienne defender Timothee Kolodziejczak just before half-time for a foul on Kylian Mbappe, with Marquinhos nodding in an equaliser from Messi’s free-kick delivery.
With 11 minutes left, Argentina playmaker Messi’s chipped pass then picked out Angel Di Maria to put PSG ahead with a curled finish.
In the closing minutes, Neymar was taken off on a stretcher with what looked like an ankle problem, before Marquinhos headed in a deep left-wing cross from Messi to wrap up victory in added time and leave PSG 12 points clear at the top.