PSG slump to surprise defeat at Montpellier

PARIS (Reuters) - French champions Paris St Germain suffered their third defeat of the season when they were humbled 3-0 at mid-table Montpellier on Saturday. Paul Lasne opened the scoring before the interval before Ellyes Skhiri and Ryad Boudebouz added two in the second half to inflict on PSG their first three-goal league defeat since they lost by the same score at Olympique de Marseille on Nov. 3, 2011. PSG are second in the standings with 35 points from 16 games, one behind Nice, who host Toulouse on Sunday, and two points ahead of third-placed Monaco, who will take the lead if they beat visiting Bastia later on Saturday. Montpellier played a physical game against PSG and they were rewarded three minutes before the break when midfielder Lasne beat Alphone Areola to the ball and found the back of the net with a fine lob. Three minutes into the second half, midfielder Skhiri curled a shot from just inside the box past Areola to double the tally. PSG coach Unai Emery, who had to cope with the injuries of midfielders Javier Pastore, Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot, replaced Christopher Nkunku with Hatem Ben Arfa shortly before the hour. The former Newcastle forward had an immediate impact but Montpellier keeper Laurent Pionnier kept the visitors at bay with several impressive saves to deny Angel Di Maria and Lucas. Montpellier moved up to 10th on 19 points. PSG take on Ludogorets on Tuesday, knowing that a victory would earn them top spot in their Champions League Group A, ahead of Arsenal. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Neville Dalton)