Paris Saint-Germain hosted Lorient tonight looking to extend their unbeaten start in Ligue 1, but were without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva through injury.
Lucas Moura broke the deadlock inside two minutes as PSG started brightly despite making six changes, with Jeremy Menez and Edinson Cavani extending their advantage just before the break.
Cavani tapped home his ninth of the campaign late on to complete a comfortable evening for Laurent Blanc's side, which saw youngster Marco Verratti star in the first 60 minutes.
Look back at a ruthless display from the defending champions with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening European football fans. Another packed weekend of action from the continent kicks tonight in France, with Sports Mole bringing you every kick from Paris Saint-Germain's latest Ligue 1 clash at home to struggling Lorient.
Paris-Saint Germain head into their 12th league game still unbeaten in all competitions, after making a smooth transition to life under Laurent Blanc. Monaco look likely to provide a stern test of their title credentials this season though, which means there is virtually no room for error in fixtures such as this evening's match against Lorient.
Blanc's men were forced to show fighting spirit last weekend, after going 2-0 down against Saint-Etienne. The defending champions rallied though and did enough to earn a last-gasp point, with Blaise Matuidi's cross floating into the far corner to keep their unbeaten record alive.
Lorient will perhaps take some comfort from the list of absentees for PSG this evening, which includes talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he continues to nurse an inflamed knee. Defensive linchpin Thiago Silva is also still on the sidelines despite returning to injury earlier this week, giving squad players a chance to prove their worth.
The visitors arrive at the Parc des Princes on a dreadful run of recent form, which has seen Christian Gourcuff's side struggle to match a last season's impressive efforts. Jeremie Aliadiere has failed to match his goalscoring exploits from the previous campaign, leaving the visitors just three points off the relegation zone at this stage.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received some surprisingly news in terms of the starting XIs from the French capital, with PSG making no fewer than six changes as Blanc shuffles his pack. A full look at side featuring Edinson Cavani will follow in just a few moments.
PSG: Sirigu, Jallet, Alex, Marquinhos, Digne, Motta, Verratti, Rabiot, Lucas, Menez, Cavani
LORIENT: Audard, Kone, Baca, Ecuele Magna, Guerriero, Lautoa, Jouffre, Monnet-Pacquet, Barthelme, Aliadiere, Aboubakar
Wholesale changes then for the defending champions, as Cavani is flanked by a new-look forward line featuring Jeremy Menez and Lucas Moura. Adrien Rabiot is also a surprise starter in central midfield, while Lucas Digne and Christophe Jallet return in the full-back positions.
Lorient meanwhile have picked the kind of fairly attacking side we have come to expect from Gourcuff regardless of opposition, with Aliadiere playing alongside Aboubakar in attack. The Cameroon striker has been a rare bright for the visitors this season with five goals in 11 matches, so should provide the main threat to PSG's reshaped backline tonight.
PREDICTION! While calling a PSG victory is hardly earth shattering I do fancy Lorient to test the visitors this evening, so I'll go for Aboubakar and Menez to both find the target in a 3-1 win for Blanc's men. I expect there to be plenty of space for attacking players to thrive tonight, so here's hoping for an entertaining clash.
Both teams are out at a drizzly Parc des Princes, with a reminder that Lorient have lost just once in nine visits to the French capital as the visitors get this clash underway, shooting from right to left.
GOAL! PSG 1-0 Lorient (Lucas Moura)
PSG were actually carved wide open from the first whistle but break quickly to open the scoring through Lucas Moura, who volleyed into the bottom corner after a clever chip over the top from Digne. The Brazilian got enough power on a low drive to beat Audard despite the effort staying central, giving the hosts a perfect start.
Jallet snaps into a strong tackle in central midfield to win back possession, as PSG break down the wing through Menez. Lorient went from attacking to picking the ball out of their own net in space of 30 seconds, which just about sums up their adventurous attitude to facing big sides in Ligue 1.
Digne takes out a cameraman as he slides in to challenge Baca near the corner flag, taking quite a fall in the slippery conditions. PSG then break forward as Lucas breaks inside, but picks the wrong pass as he misplaces an attempted switch to Menez.
Guerreiro finds some space down the left for Lorient and uses it to float a wonderful cross towards the back post, which Aboubakar meets with a powerful header that ends up well wide of the target. Just a sign there that Lorient will pose a threat on the break despite their disappointing start to the match.
Audard comes off his line quickly to stop Rabiot's through ball over the top finding Menez, just about keeping the winger at bay. Lorient then attempt to build possession in central midfield but lose out to Rabiot, who retrieves the ball as persistent rain continues to pour.
After a quiet start Cavani shows his class with a superb piece of hold-up play, controlling neatly before laying off to Menez with a quick backheel. Menez decides to take the shot on first time but gets too much curl on a looping effort, which ends up sailing over the crossbar.
PSG are really starting to find their groove in possession as Verratti jinks inside before finding Cavani, who stands a cross up to the far post that just evades Jallet. Blanc will be delighted with that controlled spell on the ball, which represents exactly the type of football he wants to be played.
Alex has a header knocked off the line but the whistle had gone just before as Audard falls to the floor. Replays show that the goalkeeper only went down after colliding with Rabiot, with the stopper in some discomfort to force a break in play.
SUBSTITUTION: A horror show for Lorient as Aliadiere pulls up out wide while Audard hobbles back on with an ankle problem. Aliadiere signals to the bench that he is unable to continue and quickly leaves the field, with Diallo brought on as a swift replacement.
SUBSTITUTION: Audard finally gives up attempts to run off that ankle problem, swapped for Reynet for only his third Lorient appearance. Two changes in quick succession has slightly unsettled the rhythm of this match, as Aboubakar's shift inside is stopped by a brave block from Marquinhos.
Monnet-Paquet is very fortunate to escape without a caution after treading on the back of Menez's heels in a late challenge. The winger soon acknowledges he was late but was perhaps taken that extra yard or two by the difficult conditions, with the heavy rain showing no sign of letting up.
Cavani comes close to a second goal after letting a superb diagonal pass drift across his body. The Uruguay striker controls before letting fly on the half-volley, with his effort just scooping up over the crossbar.
Diallo gets involved for the first time since coming on as he wins a free kick around 25 yards from goal, showing quick feet to nip past Alex and draw a clumsy foul. Jouffre steps up to take but can only deflect a curling effort off the wall and behind for a corner kick.
PSG clear the corner quickly and are soon breaking forward with pace and purpose through Menez. The hosts have to settle for a corner kick after Verratti's clip into the box is turned behind, with Digne eventually firing well wide when the corner is cleared.
Menez is caught once again as Kone shows studs after being caught out by a late touch. The referee is clearly making allowances for the hazardous conditions as he once again keeps his cards in his pocket, but surely a caution will be produced for a similar offence after the break.
GOAL! PSG 2-0 Lorient (Menez)
Superb stuff from Verratti and Menez sees PSG extend their advantage. Lorient failed to clear their lines after Écuélé Manga managed to clear Menez's initial low shot off the line, but Verratti was on hand to recycle possession and launch another quick counter. His slick pass inside set Menez free and this time the winger made no mistake, sliding into the bottom corner to put the hosts in total control of this match.
GOAL! PSG 3-0 Lorient (Cavani)
Cavani adds his name to the scoresheet and probably kills this match off as a contest, stopping to head home from close range after Reynet had been caught horribly out of position. Just moments earlier Sirigu had been forced to make a superb save from Monnet-Paquet's header, but the hosts were quick to break through Verratti and lay on a routine header for the 'Matador'.
HALF TIME PSG 3-0 Lorient
PSG have been utterly rampant and take a three-goal lead into the break, with Verratti pulling the strings for Cavani, Menez and Lucas to find the target. Lorient have been brave in deciding to play an open expansive game but paid a heavy price, staring at a potential drubbing at the interval.
Blanc will be absolutely delighted with the response of a starting XI featuring six changes, with the likes of Digne, Jallet and Cavani seizing the chance to impress. If PSG are in a ruthless mood the scoreline could end up looking very healthy for the hosts at full-time.
Lorient went on the attack and threatened inside 30 seconds but conceded the opener just a minute later, before losing both Aliadiere and Audard through injury. Gourcuff will surely decided to batten down the hatches and attempt to avoid a beating after the break, leaving Aboubakar to threaten alone in attack.
Depending on Blanc's mood there are plenty of attacking options on the bench, particularly with a Champions League match looming large in midweek. Lavezzi and Pastore are PSG's most notable options in reserve, while Van der Wiel and Maxwell could offer pace and drive down either flank late on.
The rain has not subsided as we get back underway at the Parc des Princes, with Blanc resisting the temptation to make changes at the break. Lucas soon has an early strike on target with a speculative effort, which is well held by Reynet.
Lucas and Cavani both take turns to showcase their skills in possession as PSG stamp their authority on the second half. This could be a long night for Lorient, as Monnet-Paquet is stopped on a pacy burst by Jallet.
Verratti draws a foul in central midfield as he exchanges passes with Rabiot. PSG use the set piece to charge down the left through Digne, who wins a corner kick with a pacy burst.
Guerreiro is very fortunate to escape the referee's attention after seeming to trip Menez. The full-back was falling over in possession and definitely stuck an arm out to stop Menez bursting through, but the official failed to spot a foul as the ball trickles behind for a goal kick. Soon after Cavani is flagged offside after an audacious chip into the corner, with PSG threatening to run riot here.
Diallo and Monnet-Paquet take it in turns to show promise before failing to pick out a final pass on either flank. PSG have just taken their foot off the pedal slightly in the last two minutes, as Diallo receives treatment after a poor sliding challenge from Alex.
Lorient threaten a consolation from the free kick as Kone's flick header takes a nick off Rabiot before turning wide. From the following corner PSG are able to clear quickly through Motta, with Jallet beating Monnet-Paquet in a 50-50 challenge out wide.
The visitors continue to enjoy a rare purple patch as they win a corner kick thanks to Aboubakar's strong work in attack, but once again fail to make the most of the following set-piece opportunity. PSG could do with a change here to resharpen focus on the closing stages, particularly in possession.
PSG concede possession rather sloppily through Rabiot, who loses out in midfield as Barthelmé hits a speculative drive off Alex. All credit to Lorient, they have kept fighting despite clearly being on a hiding to nothing in terms of earning a positive result.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Blanc decides the time is right for a double change as Motta and Verratti make way for Matuidi and Pastore. The Italian international duo were terrific tonight and now get a rest ahead of Champions League action in midweek.
Things have just gone off the boil for PSG with the three points secure, as Matuidi quickly gets involved by dropping deep to link play with Moura.
Jallet nearly turns a stray cross for Cavani inside the far post after getting contact wrong behind a high, swerving pass. The full-back has been willing to bomb on all night and allows himself a wry smile at the miscue.
SAVE! Sirigu gets across brilliantly to keep out Aboubakar's fierce effort, just as the forward looked destine to score. The chance was created by Digne's casual clearance across his own penalty area, but luckily for the full-back Sirigu parried a snapshot from Aboubakar just beyond the far post.
SUBSTITUTION: Lucas heads wide from close range and it proves to be his final action of the night, allowing Lavezzi to get a late run-out. Lorient also decide to make their final change, as Barthelmé is replaced by Bryan Pele.
Quite how PSG have not been awarded a penalty I am not sure, as Cavani is clearly shoved in the back as he attempts to meet Lavezzi's chip across goal. An incredible decision, or lack of.
GOAL! PSG 4-0 Lorient (Cavani)
Cavani has his revenge quickly with a poacher's finish from close range, taking his tally to nine in PSG colours. The forward quickly pounced after Rabiot's header had been parried back into the six-yard box, tapping home from close range.
Lavezzi is flagged for offside just as he appears to be brought down by Reynet, meeting Cavani's through ball and beating the goalkeeper in the process. Just as Cavani thinks he has a spot kick to claim his hat-trick the linesman's flag goes up, with Digne kept out by the keeper in the next passage of play.
Aboubakar's miscue is nearly turned home by Diallo as his late touch drifts inches wide. That sums up Lorient's night, as their agony drifts closer to ending in the first minute of added time.
FULL TIME PSG 4-0 Lorient
Utterly dominant from PSG, who run riot against struggling Lorient in a win that restores their three-point lead at the top of Ligue 1. Cavani and Verratti will take the plaudits, as Laurent Blanc's side march on.
The defending champions have now stretched their unbeaten start to 16 games in all competitions. Monaco will get a chance to respond later this weekend, but will need an impressive performance to match PSG's assured display this evening.
That just about does it for our opening feature from Ligue 1 this weekend, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole for all your European football needs over the next 48 hours. Goodnight and thanks for your company.
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
