Les Parisiens' winning streak continues in Angers!

After two convincing wins against top-of-the-table teams, Paris Saint-Germain had the firm intention of riding the wave of their fine form with a third successive win away to Angers this evening. Make no mistake: although this match looked on paper to be a clash between two extremes – league leaders Paris against basement boys Angers – Christophe Galtier and his men had no plans to underestimate a team that was playing pressure-free on the home straight of their league season. In fact, the Paris Saint-Germain manager put together an enticing starting XI, led by the virtuoso Messi–Mbappé pairing in attack.

Beyond any purely points-related considerations, Les Rouge et Bleu's trip west was also about confirming their talent. Against a SCO side who were determined to have the game of their season in order to hide the reality of the league table for an evening, Les Parisiens were duty-bound to show their authority, and they did so with champion-like hunger. Just like last week, the breakthrough came from the Messi–Mbappé duo, as, after some perfect combination play, the Argentine played a superb ball over the top to Juan Bernat, whose first-time return pass found Mbappé, who, at the second time of asking, slotted the ball home (0-1, 9').

It was an ideal scenario for Christophe Galtier's men, who would then dominate the possession and ramp up the pressure in their hunt for a second goal. At this point, it was time for dessert, which came in the form of Mbappé's peach of a backheel for Messi on the edge of Paul Bernardoni's penalty area in the 21st minute. The two men would then help themselves to seconds, as, from another sumptuous Messi pass, Mbappé kept himself onside to bamboozle Bernardoni and bag himself a brace in clinical fashion (0-2, 25').

With a two-goal lead at the break, Les Parisiens had done the hard part. Incidentally, the Paris boss used the opportunity to bring Marco Verratti back into the fray on the hour mark, but SCO weren't done just yet. With their last attack of the game, the hosts eventually reduced the deficit through Sada Thioub (1-2, 87'), but it would turn out to be nothing more than a consolation goal, as Les Rouge et Bleu held onto what was a vital win until the final whistle.

Les Parisiens got the job done, then, as they notched up a third consecutive win to provisionally extend their lead to 11 points over rivals Marseille at the top of the table ahead of the Olympico on Sunday – a good day at the office for Paris Saint-Germain, who can now look ahead to the run-in with confidence and calmness.