'Perfect day' for David Beckham as PSG beat Marseille

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward came off the bench in 2-0 win over Marseille to be the French club's 400th player.

Paris Saint-Germain's David Beckham runs during their French Ligue 1 match against Olympic Marseille at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. Charles Platiau  / Reuters
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David Beckham reflected back on a "perfect day" after making his Paris Saint-Germain debut in a 2-0 victory over their arch rivals Marseille.

The former England captain, who joined PSG on a five-month deal last month, came off the bench in the 76th minute to become the 400th player to represent the club.

PSG were leading 1-0 at the time thanks to Lucas Moura's deflected early opener at the Parc des Princes, and Beckham helped his new side seal victory with a second goal through Zlatan Ibrahimovic in injury-time

Beckham chipped a pass into the left-hand channel of the area for Jeremy Menez, whose cross was tucked in by Ibrahimovic for his 22nd goal of the season.

The win restored PSG's three-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 standings over Lyon, who beat Lorient earlier in the day, while third-placed Marseille are now eight points adrift of the leaders, who are chasing their first title in almost two decades.

A delighted Beckham said on his club's website, www.psg.fr: "I'm very happy tonight, mainly because of the victory.

"We have played better but it was very important to win. Today was the perfect day. Not only because I'm the 400th player in the history of the club but also because I'm part of a very special team.

"The welcome from the supporters was unbelievable, and I want to say thank you to them."

PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti had waited to give Beckham his debut as the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player built up his fitness having not played a competitive match since he helped the Los Angeles Galaxy to the MLS Cup title - his final game for the club after a five-year stay - last December.

Beckham could now make two appearances in four days for his new club after former Chelsea boss Ancelotti suggested the 37-year-old could face Marseille again in midweek.

The Italian said: "Beckham played because he was in the right physical condition and certain players needed a breather. It could be that David Beckham will play on Wednesday in the Coupe de France."

Earlier Lyon came from behind against Lorient to win 3-1 and register their first home victory of 2013.

The visitors took the lead at the Stade Gerland in the 11th minute through Jeremie Aliadiere's header before Lisandro Lopez drew things level in the 24th.

Rachid Ghezzal then put OL in front in the 50th minute and Arnold Mvuemba added their third in stoppage time to secure the victory.

In yesterday's other Ligue 1 game Bordeaux suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to lowly Brest.

A Benoit Tremoulinas own goal and a late Ahmed Kantari penalty confirmed a third consecutive Ligue 1 defeat for Les Girondins and left a dent in their hopes of getting a European spot.

sports@thenational.ae

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