Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images

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Nuno Mendes' header sent 10-man Paris Saint-Germain back to the top of Ligue 1 after a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Strasbourg.

Mendes struck with nine minutes remaining to secure the points at the Stade de la Meinau which edged the champions back above Lens.

However, they had to do it the hard way following Achraf Hakimi's 75th-minute dismissal for a challenge on Joaquín Panichelli, which left his side at a numerical disadvantage just four days after their gruelling 1-1 Champions League draw with Newcastle.

Senny Mayulu had given the visitors an early lead, only for Guela Doué to level, although the home side were ultimately made to pay for Panichelli's penalty miss with the score at 0-0.

Strasbourg served warning of their intent with 14 minutes gone when PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov had to claw Diego Moreira's shot out of his bottom corner with the visitors struggling to make the most of the early chances which came their way.

The hosts had a glorious opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty for handball against defender Marquinhos, but again Safonov was equal to the task of keeping out Panichelli's 20th-minute spot kick.

They were made to pay within two minutes when Bradley Barcola fed Mayulu to fire past keeper Mike Penders from close range.

PSG's lead lasted just five minutes as Guela Doue dispatched Ben Chilwell's cross to level for Strasbourg.

Julio Enciso and Hakimi tested the keeper at either end with the half-time whistle approaching, but the sides remained locked together at the break.

Désiré Doué and Hakimi both blazed high and wide and substitute Lee Kang-in saw a 64th-minute attempt from distance saved as Luis Enrique's men made a fresh push after the restart.

Their hopes were dented with 15 minutes remaining when Hakimi, who had been booked for a challenge on Panichelli, had his card upgraded to a red following a VAR review.

Nevertheless, it was PSG who forced their way in front with 81 minutes gone when Mendes powered home a header from a Warren Zaïre-Emery corner.

Guela Doue might have levelled for a second time when he got his head to Moreira's 84th-minute corner, but he was unable to direct his effort at goal.

Strasbourg piled on the pressure as time ran down with Martial Godo seeing a 90th-minute attempt blocked after he had been played in by Moreira's header and then fired wide in stoppage time, but there was no way back.