Les Parisiens put on another show against Troyes!

Four days after their exceptional display against Maccabi Haifa, Paris Saint-Germain were back in front of their home fans today for the visit of Troyes. On the Halloween menu were a few tricks from the visitors, of course, but also some lovely treats to get your teeth stuck into in a suspense-filled game. It was also a match that Christophe Galtier approached with a slightly readjusted team, bringing Presnel Kimpembe, Nordi Mukiele and Carlos Soler back into his starting 11.

A tough encounter was to be expected against a Troyes side reputed for their bravery, and ESTAC quickly proved that when Mama Baldé opened the scoring from his first touch inside the Paris penalty area (0-1, 3'). It wasn't enough to dishearten Les Parisiens, though, who smelt blood as they aimed to stifle the Troyes defence, with Marco Verratti, Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé showing their creativity despite the little amount of space left open by the visitors.

Whether they were coordinating attacks down the middle, using the wings or shooting from distance, as Sergio Ramos and Neymar Jr did in the 18th and 21st minute respectively, Paris had to vary their threats in their search for the opening goal. This approach paid off when an inch-perfect pass from Neymar Jr found Carlos Soler, with the Spaniard beating Gauthier Gallon to score his second goal of the week and his first in Ligue 1 (1-1, 23'). Talk about creating space when there isn't any!

In this game of cat and mouse, both teams continued to deliver blows to each other. The Parc des Princes crowd was treated to a number of chances, but Gallon stepped up to the mark to stop a powerful free kick from Neymar Jr and a header from Messi. The keeper's solid performance clearly gave Troyes the momentum, as Baldé restored his side's lead at the other end of the pitch (1-2, 51'). Les Parisiens' feathers were now ruffled, and they wasted no time in responding thanks to another moment of genius, as the magic Messi fired a net-busting missile home to lift the Parc up onto its feet (2-2, 54').

And what better way to celebrate Halloween than with a treat of a goal from Neymar Jr, especially when the scorer of the second goal, Messi, shapeshifted into the assist provider (3-2, 63')? And what else can be said about the Brazilian magician's tricks that sent shivers down the spines of the fans at a packed-out Parc des Princes? With such an open and end-to-end game, it was total entertainment, especially as Mbappé didn't miss the chance to join the party, coolly converting a penalty that was won thanks to another dance from Carlos Soler in the box (4-2, 76').

Whether it was a surprise shot from maestro Marco or yet more treats from Mbappé, the magic tricks kept on coming until the end of the game. Whilst the plucky Troyens reduced the deficit through Ante Palaversa just before the final whistle (4-3, 88'), Les Parisiens eventually had the last laugh.

With their character earning them yet another win, Paris Saint-Germain continue their impressive unbeaten streak and further build their lead over their direct competitors at the top of Ligue 1 – an ideal outcome ahead of one last crusade to Turin on Wednesday in the Champions League group stage.