Paris Saint-Germain continued their 100% winning start to the new Ligue 1 campaign, eventually easing to a 2-0 victory over Montpellier in the French capital.
The Parisiens took the lead on 14 minutes through an unlikely source, when Idrissa Gana Gueye cannoned a vicious strike towards the Montpellier goal with such force that it almost lifted the net clean off.
An absolute belter from Idrissa Gueye! ☄️?♂️ pic.twitter.com/Ezdb1w3uLl
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 25, 2021
The favourites didn’t have it all their own way however, and Keylor Navas was called into action on the hour mark, making a strong save to keep his side ahead. Mauricio Pochettino made a double change towards the end of the game to see out the final minutes, and his decision paid instant dividends.
Julian Draxler – with virtually his first touch of the game – picked up the ball inside the penalty area and beat goalkeeper Jonas Omlin to kill the contest and fire PSG to another victory.
That win puts Pochettino’s men clear at the top on 24 points, already 10 ahead of second place Marseille.
Here are the PSG player ratings.
Keylor Navas (GK) – 7/10 – Tasked with justifying his place ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, but the Italian shot-stopper can’t argue with another clean sheet for the number one.
Achraf Hakimi (RB) – 8/10 – Impressive as always going forward, and solid at the back too. The Moroccan’s game is only improving with each passing match.
Marquinhos (CB) – 7/10 – Commanding at the heart of the backline, and rarely put a foot wrong against a plucky opponent.
Presnel Kimpembe (CB) – 7/10 – Like Marquinhos, Kimpembe was not exactly tested to his maximum by the Montpellier attack. Did his job convincingly enough.
Abdou Diallo (LB) – 7/10 – Proving himself to be worthy of the PSG shirt with his performances for the French giants. Filling a weak point in the squad with conviction.
Ander Herrera (CM) – 8/10 – Hit the woodwork in a typically industrious and efficient display in the centre of the pitch. A crucial element in a team full of superstars.
Leandro Paredes (CM) – 7/10 – Cruised through the game without really leaving his mark on proceedings at any point. Still, he’ll be happy with his output.
Idrissa Gueye (CM) – 9/10 – Cor, he doesn’t score often, but when he does, they stay hit! What a goal from the midfielder, hammering PSG ahead. He never looked back afterwards.
Angel Di Maria (RW) – 8/10 – A stellar display from Di Maria, grabbing the assist for Gueye’s thunderbolt in the first half. A reliable player.
Kylian Mbappe (ST) – 7/10 – Presented with a glorious opportunity when clean through on goal having rounded the keeper, but somehow failed to get his name on the scoresheet. Good performance, otherwise.
Neymar (LW) – 7/10 – Missed a good early chance, but kept on plugging away until the end, when he grabbed the assist for Draxler’s clincher.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) – 6/10 – More minutes under the belt for the Netherlands’ talisman.
Julian Draxler (RW) – 7/10 – Made an immediate impact, wrapping up all three points at the death.
Mauro Icardi (ST) – N/A
Rafinha (CM) – N/A
