Paris win in style!
Highlights:
First versus second - Paris' steely defence against the league's leading scorers. On paper this was every bit the top of the table clash!
On the pitch, it looked like it could just live up to the billing, too! Leandro Paredes fired just wide to open the hostilities (2') before Pereira-Lage was denied by Keylor Navas (3').
It was an entertaining opening and it quickly ended with the ball in the back of the net. Ander Herrera, playing at right-back, played in compatriot Pablo Sarabia who ran into space and fired beyond Butelle (1-0, 13')! Angers looked to bounce nack immediately, but Alioui fired wide, one-on-one with Navas (22'). THe Paris 'keeper then punched away Santamaria's dangerous effort (33'). But Paris doubled their lead before the break. Sarabia setting up Mauro Icardi for his first goal at the Parc des Princes, and second in three days after his winner against Galatasaray (2-0, 37')!
And Paris maintained the intensity after the break as they laid siege to Butelle's goal. Idrissa Gana Gueye then got his first Paris goal, turning home Sarabia's shot-cum-cross (3-0, 59')! Paredes, Gana Gueye and Verratti completely controlled the midfield and Neymar Jr went looking for his goal, denied three times by Butelle (60', 62', 75')! But the Brazilian was released by substitute Choupo-Moting and he rounded the 'keeper to slot the ball home - all four of his goals this season coming in the final 20 minutes (4-0, 90')!
Paris extended their provisional lead at the top to five points over Angers and took the mantle of the best attack in the land with (17 goals, against 16 for the SCO). A good night at the office!
A Parisian in the match: Pablo Sarabia
What a week for Sarabia! After his first assist for Paris away to Galatasaray, the Spaniard did even better tonight with his first goal and two more assists. The Spain international has now provided an assist and scored in five matches in 2019 (Liga + L1) - more than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues over the same period.
The word: First
The new signings were in fine form tonight! Sarabia and Gueye both got their first goals for the club from the capital while Icardi became the first player to score on his Ligue 1 debut for Paris since a certain Kylian Mbappé, in September 2017 versus Metz (5-1). More than ever, they call the Parc, home!
Coming up:
The international break means the Paris squad jets out to the four corners of the globe to play for their national teams. After the break, there's three matches in nine days with a trip to Allianz Riviera in Week 10 of Ligue 1, before matches away to Brugge and at home to Marseille.