Paris Saint-Germain Set New French League Unbeaten Record

Paris Saint-Germain established a new Ligue 1 record on Wednesday as they stretched their unbeaten streak to 33 matches by easing past Lorient 3-1 at the Parc des Princes. (Ibrahimovic Blasts Paris Saint-Germain Into Record Books)

Edinson Cavani was given a rare start by Laurent Blanc and justified his manager's decision by opening the scoring in only the sixth minute. (Ibrahimovic Hands Paris Saint-Germain Slender Win at Toulouse)

Lorient struck back midway through the first half with a well-worked equaliser from Raphael Guerreiro. (Blanc Believes PSG Can Reach UEFA Champions League Last Four)

The defending champions forged ahead again though with a Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal 10 minutes after half-time.

PSG were not at their fluent best, but Layvin Kurzawa made it three with an excellent strike.

Blanc rang the changes, six in all, from the side that equalled the record Nantes set over 20 years ago by winning at Saint-Etienne on Sunday.

"We can be very pleased tonight. The record, it really is something", Blanc said after his side's 14th win in a row.

"About the match itself though my feelings are mixed. We were not in total control at certain times.

"But I have to take my share of the responsibility. After rotating the team, it is normal to have a few problems."

It did not take the champions-elect long to get into their stride and Cavani eased any possible early nerves by latching onto an Ibrahimovic through ball, rounding Lorient goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte and slotting into an empty net.

PSG were in dominant form early on, and after Ibrahimovic had a long-range free-kick saved by Lecomte, Marquinhos headed the resulting corner narrowly wide.

But Lorient showed that they were not just in the capital to make up the numbers, and they drew level in the 19th minute.

No Stopping PSG

A cute backheel from striker Majeed Waris released marauding left-back Guerreiro, who finished confidently past home stopper Kevin Trapp.

Lorient continued to hold their own, although Lecomte had to be alert to tip away another Ibrahimovic set-piece.

Uruguayan Cavani almost restored the hosts' advantage early in the second period when he caught out Lecomte with an impudent lob, but the ball rebounded back off the post.

A matter of seconds later PSG broke their visitors' resistance as talismanic striker Ibrahimovic tapped in Kurzawa's cross for his 20th league goal of the season.

Full-back Kurzawa had a fantastic match on his return from a knock that ruled him out of the game at the weekend, and he capped his display with a fine volley to seal all three points for his team.

Angel di Maria and Cavani both missed chances to add a fourth, while Walid Mesloub was denied at the other end by Trapp.

But those late exchanges were mere footnotes in a win that enters PSG into the record books and keeps them a staggering 24 points clear at the top of the table.

With a crucial Champions League last 16 tie against Chelsea starting on February 16, Blanc still wants further improvement.

"We could have had more goals, but Lorient could have scored more too.

"I am delighted with the performance of Cavani, but individually and as a team we could have done better, and I include myself in that."