Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani lift PSG above Monaco

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:44 am

Paris Saint-Germain moved above Monaco to the top of Ligue 1 as goals from Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria secured a 2-0 home win over Montpellier.

Cavani slotted in from close-range just before the half-hour mark, with Di Maria adding a fine left-footed finish soon after the interval.

An eighth straight win for PSG in all competitions sees them swap places at the summit with Monaco, going three points clear, although the principality side now have two games in hand.

Leonardo Jardim's men, who have a vastly superior goal difference, have the chance to return to the top when they take on Lyon away on Sunday.

Di Maria brought a 16th-minute save out of Montpellier goalkeeper Laurent Pionnier, who was then beaten by a Cavani header, but the flag was up for offside.

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The hosts continued to press, with Pionnier denying Cavani and Blaise Matuidi before that pair combined to break the deadlock, the latter providing the tee-up from which the Uruguayan converted in the 29th minute.

Montpellier almost equalised just a few moments later, but Ellyes Skhiri's header came back off the bar.

Having survived that scare, Unai Emery's side moved further ahead in spectacular fashion via Di Maria's superb strike from outside the box in the 48th minute, assisted by Cavani's backheel.

PSG stopper Kevin Trapp dived to keep out a Paul Lasne strike soon after, with Di Maria then having an effort cleared off the line by Hilton.

Cavani had a shot saved by Pionnier and Di Maria went close again, with Trapp then denying Jonathan Ikone - who is on loan from PSG - and Ryad Boudebouz to ensure the three points were safe.