Ten-man PSG beat Boavista

Paris St Germain held on to beat Boavista 2-1 despite playing most of a heated UEFA Cup third round first leg match with 10 men on Tuesday after Frederic Dehu was sent off in the first half.

REPORT: Sava own goal gives Hertha first-leg lead

PSG, who came into the match on the back of a poor run in the French first division, looked to have lifted fans' spirits with Alex Nyarko's 17th minute goal when the Ghanaian fired a powerful shot over Soares Ricardo's head and into the back of the net.

The goal caused the match to warm up after a somewhat lifeless opening period in a half-full Parc des Princes stadium, and 15 minutes later PSG found themselves down to 10 men when Dehu was sent off for a second booking in three minutes following two bad tackles.

The disadvantage in numbers hardly seemed to bother the home side, however, and Luis Fernandez's team doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime when Nyarko's pass found Fabrice Fiorese who struck home after a one-on-one with the keeper.

Boavista, who are also having a bad run in the Portuguese first division, pressed forward in the second half and pulled one back 15 minutes before time as Pedro Sanchez's long pass found Luiz Claudio.

The midfielder's resulting header took PSG keeper Lionel Letizi completely by surprise.

The goal boosted the visitors' confidence and Boavista searched for an equaliser but despite end-to-end attacking and several chances for both sides in the last 10 minutes neither was able to add to the tally.