Kylian Mbappe and Neymar combined for the only goal of the game as Paris Saint-Germain ran out 1-0 winners against Marseille in Ligue 1.
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar’s relationship at PSG has been questioned this season but there was no doubt the two attackers were in perfect harmony in Sunday’s win over Marseille at the Parc des Princes.
Lionel Messi was back in the starting XI for the hosts after recovering from injury, but it was his two attacking team-mates who stole the headlines in a 1-0 win for Christophe Galtier’s side.
PSG started brightly but were pegged back by a lively Marseille outfit. However, the game turned just before half-time when Mbappe teed up Neymar to break the deadlock.
Marseille's night then went from bad to worse when after the break when substitute Samuel Gigot was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Neymar.
The sending-off allowed PSG to see out the game relatively comfortably and make it nine wins from 11 games so far in Ligue 1 this season.
GettyThe Winners
Neymar:
PSG found it tough going at times in the first half against Marseille but went in at the break 1-0 up when Neymar scored just minutes before the half-time whistle.
The Brazilian had earlier missed a good chance to break the deadlock but made no mistake second time around after a good pass from Kylian Mbappe.
Neymar now has nine goals in nine Ligue 1 games this season for PSG. The Brazilian's strike was also his 200th career league goal.
Kylian Mbappe:
The PSG striker has been in the headlines all week amid speculation he wants out of the French club but put that behind him with an influential performance.
Mbappe’s willingness to run at the Marseille defence and playmaking caused the visitors' problems all night long.
The France international was guilty of wasting a couple of good chances with some wayward finishing but there was nothing wrong with his assist for Neymar’s goal.
It’s Mbappe’s first assist to Neymar in over six months. The last time the Frenchman teed up his team-mate was in a 6-1 win over Clermont on 9 April.
Pau Lopez:
The Marseille goalkeeper was beaten by Neymar but there's no doubt the scoreline would have been much higher without Lopez in the visitors' goal.
Lopez had a busy first half and was forced into saves from Mbappe, Neymar, Messi and Achraf Hakimi.
The stopper may not have been able to keep a clean sheet but it was certainly an impressive showing from the 27-year-old.
AdvertisementGettyThe Losers
Danilo Pereira:
PSG were without Sergio Ramos due to suspension and Presnel Kimpembe because of injury against Marseille and then lost Danilo midway through the first half.
The centre-back had started the game alongside Marquinhos but only lasted 22 minutes before injury saw him forced off and replaced by Nordi Mukiele.
It’s not clear yet how serious Danilo’s injury is but it is another blow for PSG and gives Galtier a headache in defence that he could do without.
Samuel Gigot
Marseille's Samuel Gigot only came on in the 44th minute for Marseille, as a replacement for the injured Eric Bailly, but was gone half an hour later for a poor challenge on Neymar.
The 29-year-old left the referee with little choice after flying in with a late, high challenge on Neymar that was met with a swift red card.
Marseille had still been in the game at that point, but going a man down when they were already trailing 1-0 left them with a mountain to climb.
Marseille's title hopes
Marseille could have moved level on points with PSG if they had emerged from the Parc des Princes with a win on Sunday but instead slipped six points behind the defending champions.
Igor Tudor's side put up a stiff test but could not find a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the PSG goal despite creating plenty of chances.
Maxime Lopez and Chancel Mbemba both impressed for the visitors but it was PSG's extra quality in attack that proved the difference on the night.
GettyPSG Ratings: The Defence
Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10): Stopped everything that came his way to keep a clean sheet. A block to deny Jonathan Clauss at the start of the second half was arguably his best moment.
Achraf Hakimi (6/10): Always looked a threat going forward but saw an early chance saved and was let down by some poor distribution. Had his hands full defensively with Nuno Tavares.
Marquinhos (6/10): Solid showing from the PSG captain.
Danilo (n/a): Picked up an early injury and forced off after just 22 minutes.
Juan Bernat (5/10): Not at all convincing at left-back and gave the ball away carelessly at times. Found Chancel Mbemba a tough opponent and was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a challenge on Clauss.
GettyMidfield
Fabian Ruiz (6/10): Just his fourth Ligue 1 start for PSG and brought balance to the midfield. A strong run in the second half almost brought a second goal but Neymar was denied by a superb tackle.
Marco Verratti (7/10): Made a record 20th appearance in Le Classique and finished on the winning side yet again. A strong tackle from Verratti set PSG away for the opening goal from Mbappe.
Vitinha (6/10): Sent Mbappe through to feed Neymar for the goal. A good run into the box almost brought a second but he was too reluctant to shoot.