THE MATCH

PSG were much better than they were in scraping past Metz 1-0 on Wednesday evening with Mbappé a constant threat in his first league appearance of the season. He converted a penalty he won himself (38') and (45+1') had a shot saved that was followed up by Angel Di Maria for the second goal.

Mbappé started in attack with Mauro Icardi and was dangerous from the outset, having a shot blocked by Pierre Lees-Melou (11'). Morgan Schneiderlin let fly from range (19') but Keylor Navas was to prove equal to everything thrown at him by a side missing Kasper Dolberg, out having tested positive for coronavirus.

Mbappé fired over after a fine team move (25') but was soon earning a penalty, nutmegging Youcef Atal before being fouled by Khephren Thuram, Lilian's son. Mbappé dispatched the penalty, the second he has scored in three attempts. Navas made a fine save with his legs from Rony Lopes (42') before PSG doubled their lead. Mbappé cut in from the left and shot. Walter Benitez saved but Di Maria - the scorer of a double in a 4-1 win at Nice last season - netted the rebound.

Atal endured a difficult afternoon defensively, eventually going off injured after being unable to keep up with a Mbappé sprint, but brought the best out of Navas (53'). Icardi can't buy a goal at the moment and missed a chance (59') before hitting the post (63').

Mbappé almost had a second (64') but Dante blocked and then captain Marquinhos headed in the third (66') from a whipped Di Maria free-kick. Nice sub Evann Guessand (78') almost scored his first Ligue 1 goal before Amine Gouiri, the scorer of a double in the win over Lens on the opening weekend, curled a shot that Navas did well to tip round the post.

Nice have suffered back-to-back defeats after two wins in their opening two matches, while PSG are on the recovery trail and with Neymar and Leandro Paredes returning from suspension for next Sunday's game at Reims can look to the future with confidence.

THE PLAYER: Kylian Mbappé

Joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 Uber Eats last season with 18 goals, Mbappé matched Wissam Ben Yedder, the player he finished level with last term, by opening his account for the new season in Round 4. Mbappé looked exceptionally sharp on his return and was the game's most influential figure, playing with enterprise and excitement at being back on a Ligue 1 field for the first time since last season.

THE STAT: 7

Mbappé has earned seven penalties since moving to Paris in September 2017, more than any other Ligue 1 Uber Eats player in that time.