Paris Saint-Germain remain top of Ligue 1 after picking up a hard-fought victory against Montpellier HSC at the Stade de la Mosson.

Les Rouges et Bleu were nearly in front in the opening minutes after David Luiz's free kick was tipped away from La Paillade keeper Jonathan Ligali.

Montpellier tried their luck from distance in the early stages, but Paul Lasne saw his effort go wide of Kevin Trapp's goal before the PSG stopper calmly gathered another shot from Anthony Mounier soon after.

Before the interval, PSG thought they had edged in front as Thiago Motta's free kick was headed home by defender Serge Aurier, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside.

Within moments of the restart, Montpellier had their first clear chance when Ramy Bensebaini rose above Luiz to head goalwards before Trapp made his first save of note.

However, it was the defending champions who took the lead just after the hour mark when Blaise Matuidi latched on to Maxwell's ball on the left side of the area and the French international rifled it past Ligali at his near post.

Mounier felt that his side should have had a penalty for a challenge by Aurier as he sized up a shot at goal, but the Ivorian's tackle appeared to be well-timed.

PSG nearly wrapped up their victory with 10 minutes left after Lucas Moura's pass played in Jean-Kevin Augustin, but the teenager was denied by Ligali.

However, Laurent Blanc's side were able to hold on to maintain their 100% start to the season and retain top spot in Ligue 1.