Ligue 1
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Saint Etienne
Date: 14 September 2018
Venue: Parc de Princes
Paris Saint-Germain, who were without Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, were in a rampant mood as they thumped Saint-Etienne 4-0 in Ligue 1 on Friday evening.
World-record signing Neymar was rested for the encounter, while Mbappe missed out through suspension for the hosts.
Julian Draxler, who deputised for Neymar, had an early chance to grab the lead for PSG in the third minute with a first-time strike that forced a great save from Saint-Etienne shot-stopper Stephane Ruffier. Draxler was not to be denied in the 22nd minute as he put the Ligue 1 champions ahead with an exquisite header past Ruffier following a cross from Marco Verratti, 1-0. The visitors were enjoying much of the ball towards the end of the half, although they could not get a reply going into the halftime break. Edinson Cavani doubled the lead for the Parisians six minutes after the break from a penalty spot after he was brought down inside the box, 2-0. The hosts were still all over Saint-Etienne after 65 minutes as the visitors were starting to get off the pace. The loss of Neymar and Mbappe seemed to have no effect as Di Maria made it 3-0 for PSG in the 76th minute with a sensational strike that left Ruffier with no chance. Moussa Diaby rounded off the scoring on 84 minutes with a close range strike at the after post after a scuffed shot from Cavani. Thomas Tuchel's men will now turn their attention to this week's UEFA Champions League tie against Liverpool.
