Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 AS Saint-Étienne

THE MATCH

A trip to the Parc des Prince may have felt like a thankless task for relegation-threatened Saint-Étienne, but les Verts have been on an upwards trajectory in in recent weeks and they nearly took the lead when Denis Bounga poked the ball through to Zaydou Youssouf, who was denied at close range by Gigi Donnarumma (12'). Mbappé forced a save from Paul Bernardoni at the other end soon after (13') but ASSE's decision to push PSG high paid off minutes later, Bounga once again winning possession in the final third and this time going for goal himself, converting his fourth goal of the season (16'). PSG refused to let their heads go down, though, and after Messi had tested Bernardoni with a free-kick (32'), the Argentine legend turned provider, slipping the ball through for Mbappé who drilled home his 12th of the campaign (42').

PSG pull clear

Mauricio Pochettino sent Angel Di Maria on for the second half in place of Thilo Kehrer, the winger joining Mbappé, Messi and Neymar Jr. in a mouthwatering final third (46'), and the extra attacking impetus reaped its reward moments later, Messi's quick feet creating the opportunity for Mbappé to rifle home goal number 13 of the season (47'). Danilo Pereira then got in on the act for the fourt time in three games, heading home a stunning Mbappé cross - sent to the back post with the outside of his right boot (52'). Sainté kept pushing, and Bounga came close to a second with a thumping left-footed shot, but Donnarumma was equal to it (68'). Paris always looked the more likely to add to the scoreline, though, and Di Maria and Messi both might have done better with a pair of chances in quick succession (74'). Neymar then hit the post (79') before Di Maria was denied by an outstanding Bernardoni save (86') and it ended 3-1.

THE PLAYER: Kylian Mbappé

Messi shone with two assists, but it's performances like this which leave many to conclude that Mbappé is his natural heir as the best player in world football. Everything about this performance oozed class - two fine finished and a sumptuous assist - and it is little wonder the capital club are pulling out all of the stops to keep Mbappé at the Parc des Princes beyond his current deal, which runs until the summer of 2022.

THE STAT: 156

With his two goals, Mbappé brought his PSG total to 156 in all competitions, drawing level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in second among the club's all-time top scorers list. He remains 44 behind Edinson Cavani, who reached 200 before leaving for Manchester United in late 2020.