LIGUE 1
Mbappé nets controversial late PSG winner against Angers
Angers were angered by a late penalty awarded to PSG and Mauricio Pochettino conceded he understood their frustration.
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he understood Angers' frustration after a controversial late penalty gave the Ligue 1 leaders a 2-1 victory.
VAR aids PSG to late win
PSG trailed following Angelo Fulgini's 36th-minute opener before Danilo Pereira's header, their first shot on target, levelled matters on Friday.
It looked as if they would have to settle for a share of the spoils, but PSG were awarded a penalty after a VAR check for handball against Pierrick Capelle.
Kylian Mbappé swept home from 12 yards in the 87th minute, with Angers left to fume.
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Romain Thomas felt he was fouled by PSG forward Mauro Icardi in the lead-up to the penalty incident.
He told Prime Video: "It's incredible what's happened.
"Losing 2-1 at the end, losing here isn't shameful, but [to lose] like that... no, it's not possible.
"We worked all week to do something properly and the referees can't take the time to do theirs.
"VAR... I'm starting to get tired of this story. Putting millions into something when you don't even know how to use it, it annoys me because I'm passionate, I'm dedicated.
"At the start of the play, he [Icardi] pulled me on the arm, I fell and then he plays from that position for the penalty. So, I'm frustrated."
Asked about Angers' complaints, Pochettino said: "It's difficult. I haven't seen the action footage yet. I couldn't see correctly whether there was a hand, a penalty or a foul ... I don't know.
"I understand Angers' feelings. I myself have often known these situations where the decisions are a little against us. But these are game situations."
PSG have won 24 Ligue 1 games since the start of the Pochettino era in January 2021 (D2 L5) – at least four more than any other team over the period.
Mbappé scores in unimpressive performance
Mbappé's penalty was his only shot on target from three attempts, his winner following his decisive - and also controversial - goal in France's victory over Spain in the Nations League final.
On Mbappé's performance, Pochettino added: "He is a player about whom we are full of praise. He has enormous qualities, especially that of being decisive when the team needs it."
Mbappé has scored and delivered an assist in the same Ligue 1 game for only the third time in 2021, after January against Montpellier (two goals, one assist) and April at Strasbourg (one goal, one assist). He has been involved in 27 league goals for the year (20 goals, seven assists) – at least four more than any other player in the top flight.
PSG are nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1, though they have played a game more than second-place Lens.