Ander Herrera scored his second and third goals of the season as Paris Saint-Germain strengthened their grip on first place with a 4-0 win over Clermont Foot 63 at the Parc des Princes.
Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Clermont Foot 63
THE MATCH
Marquinhos and Rafinha were in the capital club's starting line-up, but there were no other South Americans - meaning no Lionel Messi nor Neymar Jr. - with most of that contingent returning late from international duty. PSG's team would nonetheless have struck fear into almost any opponent in the game, let alone promoted Clermont, and they set about asserting their dominance early on with Marquinhos's header forcing a reaction save from Arthur Desmas (11'). The Clermont keeper was picking the ball out of his net minutes later, his save from Achraf Hakimi's cross only getting as far as Herrera, who headed home (20'). Kylian Mbappé then forced a stop from Desmas (26') before Herrera grabbed his second of the day, again timing his late run into the box to perfection to pick up on s spillage in the box and rifle home for 2-0 (31').
Mbappé adds gloss
The second half was only 10 minutes old when Mbappé got his name on the scoresheet. Julian Draxler - a direct beneficiary of Messi's absence - slipped the Frenchman through for a chance on goal, and after he put the jets on to beat Desmas to the ball, there was only ever going to be one outcome (55'). Paris made it four soon after, Mbappé forcing another parry from Desmas which Idrissa Gueye was on hand to tap in (65'). Mauricio Pochettino sent Thilo Kehrer and Éric Ebimbe on for Hakimi and Gueye (72') before resting Mbappé for Mauri Icardi (79') - perhaps with an eye on Wednesday's UEFA Champions League season opener at Club Brugge - and Paris looked happy to shut up shop.
THE PLAYER: Ander Herrera
Regarded as something of a workmanlike midfielder among the galaxy of stars at PSG, Herrera has started this season in stunning style. With three goals and two assists in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, the former Manchester United man has had a goal involvement every 77 minutes he has played this term.
THE STAT: 10
Mbappé has been involved in a goal in each of his last 10 outings in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. Today may have belonged to Herrera, but the 22-year-old is undoubtedly PSG's crown jewel, regardless of who else is in the squad. If he scores or assists against Olympique Lyonnais next Sunday, Mbappé will set a new personal record.
