PSG show dominance at Nimes, Rennes held by Dijon

Paris, France | XINHUA |    Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 win over Nimes on Friday, sending the defending champions to the top of the standings for the first time this season after Rennes were unexpectedly held 1-1 by bottom side Dijon.

PSG had a long list of absentees at the Stade des Costieres, including Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi, but head coach Thomas Tuchel didn’t have to worry about his tactics as new arrivals Moise Kean and Rafinha were able to make their debuts.

PSG played most of the game with a man advantage after Nimes’ Loick Landre was sent off for a rash challenge on Rafinha only 12 minutes into the game.

Mbappe struck the opener in the 32nd minute and added his fourth goal in as many Ligue 1 games late in the second half after Alessandro Florenzi had nodded in the second.

Pablo Sarabia, who set up Mbappe’s second goal and Florenzi’s header, rounded out the scoring in the closing stages to wrap the win for PSG.

After losing the opening two games of the new season, Tuchel’s men have clawed their way back to winning ways, as Friday’s victory marked it fifth league win in a row.

The win also helped the capital side temporarily move top of the standings on goal difference, as the former leaders Rennes were held by Dijon.

Martin Terrier put Rennes ahead in the first half with a neat finish, but Guinea-Bissau international Mame Balde equalized on 54 minutes to clinch Dijon’s second point of the season.

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XINHUA