Paris St. Germain close out 2014 with lifeless point versus Montpellier
Paris Saint-Germain's stuttering form continued as the defending champion was held to a goalless draw at home to Montpellier amid booing at the Parc des Princes in its final match of 2014 on Saturday.
It was a first 0-0 draw at home in nearly two years for PSG, which fell to its first league defeat of the season at Guingamp last weekend. That result came days after its unbeaten season was ended at Barcelona in the Champions League.
Both sides struggled to carve out chances on Saturday and the only shot on target in an abject first half was Zlatan Ibrahimovic's weak free kick.
Montpellier also had a goal ruled out for a tight offside decision.
PSG moved level on points with league leader Marseille, which hosts Lille on Sunday. Montpellier remained ninth.
PSG was looking to bounce back from its defeat at Guingamp and be in with a chance of ending 2014 as it had started - top of the league.
However, Montpellier went closest to taking the lead with a stunning effort from Morgan Sanson, who was ruled marginally offside on Anthony Mounier's cross.
PSG was jeered off the pitch at halftime, with its closest effort being Ibrahimovic's free kick which was comfortably gathered by Montpellier goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali.
The champions increased the pressure after the break and Thiago Silva almost turned in a corner but Mounier cleared the header off the line with Ligali beaten.
Edinson Cavani was proving ineffective and was substituted in the 65th to resounding boos.
PSG appealed for a penalty four minutes from time but the referee waved away its claims after Mathieu Deplagne appeared to foul Adrien Rabiot.
It was the first time since 2012 that PSG had failed to score in two successive matches.
