PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 3-1 Lyon: Ligue 1 leaders go seven points clear | OneFootball

Although the rivalry has seemingly been more bitter in the boardoom than on the pitch of late, clashes between PSG and Lyon have remained one of the highlights of the Ligue 1 season, irrespective of the two teams’ fortunes.

With respective slip-ups from Monaco and Marseille earlier this weekend, Les Parisiens were presented with a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points – provided they ended a two-match winless streak in Ligue 1. Neither side was necessarily at full strength, with Pierre Sage notably resting Alexandre Lacazette after a testing midweek European tie. Luis Enrique opted to start Désiré Doué – who had struggled for form since arriving this summer – ahead of Bradley Barcola, while club captain Marquinhos was also left on the bench.

Nevertheless, the decision to start Doué paid instant dividends. The former Rennes man was the architect for PSG’s opening goal, spinning away from Maitland-Niles and down the wing before cutting it back for Dembélé (who had scuffed a earlier chance) to finish from close range. The French youth international would also be involved in the second goal, winning the spot-kick which was duly converted by Vitinha.

While PSG would predictably continue to dominate possession as the half progressed, Lyon were able to carve out the clearer opportunities. The visitors notably had a strong case for a penalty when Doué brought down Ernest Nuamah in the box, before Mikautadze pulled one back minutes later with a deft, chipped finish past Donnarumma.

The second half would be temporarily stopped amid offensive chanting from the PSG ultras – who were already warned in the first half over a homophobic chant. After a discussion with the referee, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha would go over to the Virage Auteuil to plead with the suppoters, who eventually acquiesced.

Opportunities would be few and far between in the closing half-hour, in any case – Lyon’s chances of a comeback no doubt dented by the lingering exhaustion from their trip to Frankfurt on Thursday. Luis Enrique’s men would struggle to slice through a resolute visiting defence – a volleyed effort from Lee and a few bursts into the box from Bradley Barcola would punctuate an otherwise nondescript second half. PSG would finally be out of sight with two minutes to go, as substitute Gonçalo Ramos bundled home after a Barcola shot across goal had been parried into his path by Perri.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 4 – The Italian was only truly tested once, and his petulant reaction to conceding from Mikautadze’s chip could well have cost him dearly.

Achraf Hakimi, 6

Lucas Beraldo, 5 – The Brazilian was making his return to action after three weeks out injured, and looked somewhat frail – although he was scarcely called into action in any case. Replaced by Marquinhos for the final half-hour.

Willian Pacho, 7 – PSG’s most consistent player this season put in another near-faultless performance, with the loose pass that led to Mikautadze’s goal being the only blot in his copybook.

Nuno Mendes, 6 – The Portuguese full-back notably sent in the cross that led to the penalty for PSG’s second goal, and tracked back well to contain Ernest Nuamah. Replaced for the final half-hour by Lucas Hernandez, who was making his return to action after a 6-month injury absence.

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 6 – The young midfielder saw a couple of goalscoring opportunities come his way, but was more at ease in a defensive role, winning the ball back several times and coming out on top in most of his one-on-one duels.

Vitinha, 5 – The 24-year-old, who covered the most ground on Sunday evening, was not necessarily at his incisive best but managed to evade the visitors’ high press in the first half, during which he scored his 3rd goal of the campaign. A more comfortable second half followed.

João Neves, 6

Kang-in Lee, 4 – The South Korean had a quiet game, with his only involvement game being two missed chances – one after picking up a yellow card early, and the second on the hour mark, after which he was replaced by Bradley Barcola.

Ousmane Dembélé, 6

Désiré Doué, 7 – Arguably his best performance since moving from Brittany this summer. Assisted the first goal, won the penalty for the second, and saw a thumping effort into the roof of the net ruled out for offside. A constant danger down the left-hand side, beating Ainsley Maitland-Niles several times on the dribble.

Selected Lyon player ratings

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 2 – The former Arsenal full-back struggled to contain Désiré Doué for the first hour, and then Bradley Barcola at the end of the match, with PSG patently targeting the left flank throughout the match. The 27-year-old also showed questionable decision-making in the moments he ventured forward.

Nemanja Matić, 4 – The Serbian was arguably Lyon’s most imposing presence in a midfield battle in which they were decidedly outplayed, but his lack of speed was a major obstacle to countering the hosts. Also somewhat wasteful on the ball

Georges Mikautadze, 6 – Often cut an isolated figure up front, but made the most of the few balls that came his way. A well-taken finish to halve the deficit before half-time. Replaced by Alexandre Lacazette midway through the second half, and the veteran striker’s impact was minimal.

Rayan Cherki, 6 – Danced past the PSG defence before setting up a wide-open Mikautadze for Lyon’s goal, and continued to orchestrate what looked to be a Lyon comeback up until the break. The 21-year-old was then brought off for Benrahma in the second half.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from the Parc des Princes, Paris