Pastore lifts PSG back to the top in Ligue 1

Paris St Germain's Javier Pastore (right) challenges Nice's Jordan Amavi to score a second goal during their Ligue 1 match at Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on Saturday

Paris St Germain's Javier Pastore (right) challenges Nice's Jordan Amavi to score a second goal during their Ligue 1 match at Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on Saturday. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Javier Pastore's double inspired a weary Paris St Germain to a 3-1 win at Nice as the French champions reclaimed top spot in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

PSG, who lost 3-1 at home to Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, now have 65 points from 32 games and lead second-placed Olympique Lyonnais by one point.

Monaco are third, six points off the pace having played a game more, after Bernardo Silva's 29th minute-opener was cancelled out by Habib Habibou's late strike in a 1-1 home draw against Stade Rennais.

The principality side host Juventus in their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday having lost 1-0 in the first leg.

The absence of suspended PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was barely felt in Nice as Argentine Pastore scored either side of the interval with Edinson Cavani netting from the penalty spot for his team's third.

Nice, who are 11th on 41 points, levelled before the break through Mathieu Bodmer but were found out in the second half.

Lyon can move back to the top if they beat arch-rivals St Etienne at home in France's hottest derby on Sunday but they will have then played a game more than PSG.

Paris coach Laurent Blanc left full backs Gregory van der Wiel and Maxwell as well as midfielder Blaise Matuidi on the bench as he looks to keep a fresh squad for Tuesday's return leg at the Nou Camp.

Matuidi and Maxwell both made late appearances in the second half.

PSG went ahead six minutes before the interval, playmaker Pastore coolly slotting home after being played through by Lucas.

Nice were quick to react with Bodmer deflecting Albert Rafetraniaina's long-range volley into Salvatore Sirigu's net on the stroke of halftime.

Early in the second half, Carlos Eduardo easily beat PSG's Marquinhos and David Luiz in the air but his header was tipped onto the left post by Sirigu.

David Luiz was better in the air in the Nice area as his downward header bounced onto the bar, but it was another shaky defensive performance by the Brazilian after Wednesday's poor display against Barca.

Pastore struck again and then Cavani put the result beyond doubt in the 69th by converting a penalty after the Uruguay striker was brought down by Jordan Amavi.