PARIS, France (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain closed in on the French league title with a 1-0 victory at Evian that featured the dismissal of PSG midfielders David Beckham and Marco Verratti plus two other players after the match ended following a mass confrontation yesterday.

Javier Pastore scored in the 50th minute to keep PSG nine points ahead of second-place Marseille with four rounds remaining.

But the win will do little for PSG’s image, with midfielder Blaise Matuidi running over to gloat in front of the Evian bench moments after the final whistle and goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu clashing with several Evian players.

Sirigu and Evian striker Saber Khlifa were sent off after the final whiste.

Earlier, Lyon held onto third place after fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw at home to bitter local rival Saint-Etienne.

Evian recently beat PSG on penalty kicks in the French Cup quarter-finals, and avenging that loss got to some of PSG’s players. Matuidi appeared to goad the Evian bench and Sirigu was embroiled in several tussles with Evian players.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had remonstrated angrily with Verratti after his dismissal, stood motionless on the sidelines as the chaos scenes played out with some looking to join in the melee while others tried to drag them away.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the league’s top scorer, went close halfway through a scrappy first half when he clipped a shot just wide after meeting a cross from the right. Ibrahimovic then picked out Ezequiel Lavezzi with a pass from the right, but the Argentine winger sent his shot wide.

Pastore gave PSG the lead when he curled an exquisite first-time shot past goalkeeper Bertrand Laquait after being set up by right back Christophe Jallet.

Lavezzi, whose finishing has been erratic all season, then missed a great chance midway through the second half when he ran onto a fine pass from Pastore, rounded Laquait, but sent his shot against a defender with the net gaping.

Sirigu had little to do for most of the match but was suddenly called into action within the space of a few minutes, keeping out shots from Daniel Wass and striker Yannick Sagbo.

Also yesterday, sixth-place Nice beat Troyes 3-1.