PSG 3-0 Saint-Etienne: Neymar failed to score but Edinson Cavani got two
PSG continued in their quest for Ligue 1 triumph with an 3-0 win over Saint-Etienne, Neymar failed to score, but Edinson Cavani got two as PSG won their opening four league matches.
9’ OVER The Bar!
Janko has the first effort of the game as he collects down the right and is not closed down by the PSG defence. He goes for the strike from 25 yards, but can only smash his attempt over the bar.
19' PENALTY TO PSG!
Cavani is pulled back by Janko in the box and the referee points to the spot. Reckless from the Saint-Etienne defender. Janko goes into the book for pulling back Cavani.
20' GOALLLLLLL!!!! CAVANI CONVERTS!
PSG take the lead as the Uruguayan holds his composure from the spot. He drill his effort past Ruffier, despite the keeper guessing the right way, with the ball settling into the back of the net.
25' Great SAVE form Areola!
Dabo releases the run of Bamba and the forward races behind Kimpembe to break in on goal. He only has Areola to beat and attempts to slide an effort into the bottom corner. However, the keeper sticks out a leg to divert the ball behind.
31' OVER The Bar!
Saint-Etienne work the ball across the pitch and Janko for the second time in the match goes for the strike from distance. He connects with a decent effort, but it lacks the accuracy to test Areola.
37' BLOCK! The visitors break down the right through Janko and the ball is played back to Selnaes for a strike. His effort looks to be heading towards goal, but Kimpembe makes the block in the penalty area.
50' Theophile-Catherine brings down Neymar and his clips of the Brazilian's face after the fact annoys the home side.
Motta and Pastore lead the charge in their annoyance at the defender.
51' GOALLLLLLLLL!!! PSG DOUBLE THEIR LEAD! MOTTA STRIKES!
An unusual sight as Motta is there to pounce in the box to fire the ball home from close range. Neymar's free-kick caused problems in the box and Marquinhos did well to divert the ball into the path of the midfielder, allowing him to poke his effort past Ruffier.
59' Over The Bar!
Rabiot has space for a cross down the left and curls the ball to the edge of the box for Kurzawa. The left-back meets it with a headed effort, only to steer his attempt narrowly over the bar.
66' OFF THE POST!
Di Maria cracks an effort at goal from distance from a 35-yard free-kick. The ball hits the deck before travelling on to the woodwork, leaving Ruffier stranded, but it takes a kind bounce to allow the white shirts to clear in front of the net.
73' Another great SAVE from Areola!
Dabo wins the ball in the middle of the park and then releases the run of Bamba through the middle. The forward only has Areola to beat, but he cannot generate enough power on his strike to guide the ball beyond the PSG keeper.
74' Cavani missed a good chance!
Di Maria lines up a strike from the edge of the box that is deflected at goal by Perrin. Ruffier reacts brilliantly to make the stop from the deflection, but the ball bounces kindly for Cavani. However, he loses his composure and blasts over from close range. That could have been the game.
76' MISS!
Neymar and Pastore combine to release Di Maria into space on the break. The Argentine bursts into the box, but then takes an awful touch to spurn the chance, kicking the ball out for a goal-kick.
81' OVER! Pastore goes for glory from 35 yards, but can only slice his effort away from the target. Saint-Etienne gather the ball quickly as time is beginning to run out for a late comeback.
85' CLOSE!
Lo Celso lifts the ball over to the left flank for Yuri's forward run. The full-back takes a touch before drilling the ball across the face of goal, but it goes agonisingly wide of the post, while no blue shirt can make contact in the box.
86' OVER! Pajot is not closed down by the PSG defence and he lets fly from 30 yards with a right-footed strike, but he sends his effort well over the bar.
88' SAVE!
Ruffier is forced into action to turn a strike from Lo Celso over the bar. The midfielder almost caught him out with an effort from distance.
90' GOALLLLLLL!!! CAVANI NOTCHES HIS SECOND!
PSG put the icing on the cake as the Uruguayan scores a cheeky goal from close range. Draxler collects on the right flank and fires the ball acros the face of goal. The striker is unmarked and as a result attempts a backheeled effort from close range. He makes the desired contact to send the ball past Ruffier into the net.
PSG (4-3-3): Areola; Meunier, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Pastore, Motta, Rabiot; Di Maria, Cavani, Neymar.
PSG subs: Yuri, Thiago Silva, Trapp, Draxler, Lo Celso, Nkunku, Alves.
SAINT-ETIENNE (4-3-3): Ruffier; Janko, Theophile-Catherine, Perrin, Pierre Gabriel; Dano, Selnaes, Maiga; Silva, Bamba, Hamouma.
Saint-Etienne subs: Pajot, Tannane, Diony, Diousse, Moulin, Beric, Lacroix.