Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain edged out Angers 2-1 at Stade Raymond-Kopa.
Moving 11 points clear at the Ligue 1 summit despite a generally below-par display, the runaway leaders did the damage in the first half against the division’s bottom side, whose relegation could be confirmed this weekend.
Mbappe’s pair of well-taken goals inside the opening 26 minutes took his tally for the season to 34 in all competitions, though the visitors were denied a clean sheet by Sada Thioub’s late strike.
Nevertheless, PSG registered their 14th successive league win over Angers, equalling their own record for consecutive victories over a single opponent in the French top flight (against Nantes).
Angers had the first opportunity when Batista Mendy’s throughball released Ibrahima Niane, but Gianluigi Donnarumma was quickly out of his goal to deny him.
PSG broke the deadlock just four minutes later. Juan Bernat cushioned Lionel Messi’s delicious diagonal ball into Mbappe who, despite fluffing his first attempt, recovered to eventually scramble home.
Messi was instrumental again as the visitors doubled their lead in the 26th minute, playing a sublime throughball for Mbappe to latch onto and round Angers goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni before slotting in.
The visitors pushed to stretch their advantage, with Achraf Hakimi firing over nine minutes into the second half, while Mbappe went close to completing his hat-trick when Bernardoni tipped over his dipping 35-yard effort.
Angers rallied and halved the deficit three minutes from time when Abdallah Sima cushioned Yan Valery’s cross for Thioub to tuck home. But PSG held out to edge a step closer to yet another Ligue 1 title.
PSG Player Rating vs Anger
Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):
Misjudged the cross that led to Angers’ goal. Was otherwise untroubled.
Marquinhos (6/10):
Took care of most of his defensive work without fuss.
Sergio Ramos (6/10):
Won a few key headers, but was caught out of position as Angers scored.
Danilo Pereira (6/10):
Still not entirely natural as a centre-back. Didn’t do anything wrong, though.
Achraf Hakimi (7/10):
Much improved after a few poor showings. Dangerous in the attack.
Carlo Soler (5/10):
Didn’t seem to do much. Deservedly subbed after an hour.
Fabian Ruiz (7/10):
Played as the deepest-lying midfielder of PSG’s three. Looked more than comfortable in the role.
Vitinha (5/10):
Had his best game in a PSG shirt last time out with a goal and an assist. Was far less impactful here.
Juan Bernat (7/10):
Impressive in a rare start. Grabbed himself an assist with a nice cross to Mbappe.
Lionel Messi (8/10):
Assisted Mbappe with a sublime through ball. Lots of energetic runs and fine passes. Near his best.
Kylian Mbappe (8/10):
Opened the scoring with an awkward finish. Grabbed his second with a lovely piece of skill.
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