LIONEL MESSI had three assists in a 3-1 win over 10-man Saint-Etienne on Sunday to help Paris Saint-Germain extend its lead atop the French league standings to 12 points.

The victory was marred by an injury to Brazilian star Neymar, who was stretchered off in the 87th after twisting his ankle under an awkward challenge from Yvann Macon.

“Let’s recover from this,” Neymar said on his Instagram account. “Unfortunately these setbacks are part of an athlete’s life. It is what it is, let’s put our heads up high and let’s go at it! I will come back better and stronger.”

Saint-Etienne opened the scoring against the run of play in the 23rd minute of the game played in snowy conditions. Wahbi Khazri picked out Timothee Kolodziejczak, whose shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. But the rebound fell to Denis Bouanga, who beat the Italy goalkeeper.

English goalkeeper Etienne Green delayed PSG’s comeback by palming away Neymar’s angled strike in the 40th and Kylian Mbappe’s low effort in the 41st.

But Saint-Etienne’s task was made much harder on the stroke of halftime when Kolodziejczak was sent off for tripping Mbappe, who was chasing a through ball from Angel di Maria.

Brazil defender Marquinhos equalized by heading home the subsequent free kick taken by Messi.

Despite its numerical superiority, PSG struggled to find the winning goal.

Green denied Neymar in the 69th and Messi failed to convert the rebound.

PSG eventually took the lead in the 79th when Messi found di Maria, who curled into the far corner. In stoppage time, Messi crossed for Marquinhos, who outjumped Miguel Trauco to head in.

The game also featured the debut of Sergio Ramos, who recovered from injury to make his first appearance in the French league for PSG.

The Spaniard went on to have a comfortable afternoon despite picking up a couple fouls.

Also Sunday, Rennes extended its unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions to snatch second place in the league with a 2-0 win at Lorient. Gaetan Laborde notched his ninth league goal with a chip in the 75th before substitute Jeremy Doku doubled the lead with a curling shot in the 78th.

Monaco and Strasbourg stayed five points outside the top four spots by drawing 1-1. (SD-Agencies)