Sports Briefs

Di Maria scores twice for PSG

PARIS, France (AP):

Paris Saint-Germain struggled but prevailed against Angers 2-0 to keep the pressure on French league leader Monaco after Angel Di Maria scored twice yesterday.

Di Maria's stunning free kick gave the defending champions the lead in the first half, and the winger completed his team's seventh consecutive away win on the break with five minutes left. The result lifted PSG level on points with Monaco.

PSG have lost only one game in 2017 - a 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League - and are still on course to defend their domestic treble. PSG have already won the League Cup and remains involved in the French Cup.

Today, Monaco host struggling Dijon, a team that has failed to produce a clean sheet in two months. Boosted by their 3-2 Champions League win at Borussia Dortmund midweek, Monaco are aiming for a sixth consecutive league win to restore a three-point lead over PSG.

Athletic Bilbao rout Las Palmas 5-1

BILBAO, Spain (AP):

Athletic Bilbao routed Las Palmas 5-1 in the Spanish league yesterday to move into sixth place and control of a Europa League berth.

Iker Muniain and Aritz Aduriz scored twice each.

Mikel San Jose opened the scoring early at San Mames Stadium, and two minutes later Muniain bent a free kick around the side of the barrier and inside the near post.

Pedro Bigas quickly responded with a header, but Aritz scored from a counterattack led by Inaki Williams to make it 3-1 in the 18th minute.

Bilbao could have scored on several occasions before Muniain fired in a long volley in the 58th.

A minute later, Aduriz got his second when Bilbao's pressure caused Las Palmas to lose its ball near its area, taking the striker's tally to 14 league goals on the season.

Lyon blames Turkish 'hooligans' for disorder

PARIS, France (AP):

Facing likely sanctions from UEFA after the crowd disorder that delayed the Europa League quarter-final against Besiktas, French club Lyon said yesterday it was the "victim" of visiting hooligans.

Incidents inside Lyon's stadium - which will host the final next season - followed fighting among French and Turkish fans earlier in the city on Thursday.

About 20 minutes before the scheduled 9:05 p.m. kickoff, Lyon fans spilled on to the field for their own safety after fireworks were set off and missiles thrown from an upper section of the stadium housing Besiktas supporters.

The game finally began 45 minutes late after police intervened in the stands.