- Thiago Silva - 34'
- Edinson Cavani - 66' Pen
Cavani nets 100th PSG goal in convincing win against Angers
Edinson Cavani scored his 100th Paris Saint Germain goal as the current champions kept up the pressure on league-leaders Nice with a routine 2-0 win against Angers.
Thiago Silva's early strike set Unai Emery's men on their way before the Uruguay international reached a famous milestone direct from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
Successive defeats for Angers leaves them rooted firmly in mid-table but, somewhat surprisingly, it was the visitors who were first to have an effort at goal.
Nicolas Pepe's deflected shot looked like it may beat Alphonse Areola until the PSG goalkeeper got a hand to the ball to prevent an early setback.
The hosts responded immediately and thought they had opened the scoring just a few minutes later when Cavani turned Hatem Ben Arfa's pass beyond Mathieu Michel but the linesman's flag cut short any celebrations.
Following a disappointing performance last week, Ben Arfa was looking to make a positive impression on his manager this time around and he was involved again as Thiago Motta saw an effort from inside the area just clear the top corner.
Angers almost stunned their hosts in the 26th minute when Cheikh N'Doye's header beat Areola but Silva headed off the line, which proved pivotal as the Brazilian defender struck at the other end shortly after.
Lucas Moura took charge of a corner and his delivery picked out Silva at the near post to head beyond Michel with a little help from Angers defender Pierrick Capelle.
The visitors refused to lie down though and Areola was called upon again just before the interval, this time denying Karl Toko Ekambi with an effort from distance.
Only a smart piece of defending from Manceau early in the second half prevented Cavani from getting in on goal.
Looking to wrap the game up, and perhaps sensing a lack of impetus in his side, Emery threw on Jese with just over 30 minutes left to play.
It was Ben Arfa, though, who would have the most telling impact as his trickery drew a foul from Romain Thomas inside the area and referee Franck Schneider was left with no choice but to point at the spot.
The in-form Cavani took charge from 12 yards and confidently slotted home the spot kick to take his total PSG tally to 100 goals in all competitions before uncovering a tribute to the victims of the Chapecoense plane crash.
PSG continued to create chances and Augustin, who replaced Cavani, almost made it three after latching on to Ben Arfa's pass but, after going beyond Michel, his touch let him down and the young striker was only able to find the side netting.
Then, with added time looming, Jese was unfortunate not to wrap up a successful evening when his curling effort from the edge of the area smacked against the upright.
Game Information
French Ligue 1 Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paris Saint-Germain | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | +23 | 29 |
AS Monaco | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | +11 | 26 |
Marseille | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | +9 | 20 |
Lille | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | +7 | 19 |
Lyon | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | +3 | 18 |
Nice | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | +10 | 17 |
Stade de Reims | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | +4 | 17 |
Lens | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 17 |
AJ Auxerre | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | +1 | 16 |
Toulouse | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | +2 | 15 |
Strasbourg | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | -2 | 13 |
Brest | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 13 |
Stade Rennais | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -5 | 11 |
Nantes | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -3 | 10 |
Angers | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -7 | 10 |
Saint-Etienne | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -15 | 10 |
Le Havre AC | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -15 | 9 |
Montpellier | 11 | 2 | 1 | 8 | -20 | 7 |