Paris Saint-Germain thrash nine-man Montpellier to stretch Ligue 1 lead

Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:17 am

Paris Saint-Germain demolished nine-man Montpellier 5-0 at the Parc des Princes to open a provisional 13-point lead at top of the Ligue 1 standings on Saturday.

Pablo Sarabia, Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe, Layvin Kurzawa as well as a Daniel Congre own goal put the French champions on 55 points from 22 games.

Montpellier, who had keeper Dmitri Bertaud sent off after 17 minutes with midfielder Joris Chotard also picking up a red card two minutes from time, are fourth on 33 points.

"We made a good start and after they were down to 10 men, it became easier," said Di Maria.

Sarabia put the hosts in front in the eighth minute when he curled a fine shot into the top corner.

Bertaud was then shown a red card for handling the ball outside his box.

PSG players celebrate after scoring a goal against Montpellier in Ligue 1.
PSG players celebrate after scoring a goal against Montpellier in Ligue 1.
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Di Maria doubled the advantage four minutes before the break with a fine chip after being set up by Sarabia and Congre turned a corner into his own net three minutes later.

Mbappe netted his 36th goal at the Parc des Princes in 34 matches in the 57th minute with a cool finish after being played through by Neymar.

Full-back Kurzawa rubbed salt in Montpellier's wounds in the 65th with a powerful volley from inside the area.

With the three points in the bag, coach Thomas Tuchel replaced Mbappe by Mauro Icardi and the France striker did little to hide his frustration.

Substitute Edinson Cavani, who failed in his January attempt to move to Atletico Madrid, thought he had netted his 199th PSG goal in a rare appearance this season, but it was ruled out for offside.