PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain moved a provisional seven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 win over a disappointing Nice side on Friday. Edinson Cavani scored twice in the first half and Dante's second-half own goal served as the third for Unai Emery's men at Parc des Princes.
Positives
After last week's draw away at bitter rivals Marseille in Le Classique, PSG needed to get back to winning ways and they did just that with a straightforward victory that looked likely from the moment Cavani opened the scoring after three minutes.
Speaking of the Uruguay international, he picked up where he left off at Stade Velodrome last weekend and scored with a brave headed effort and then a simple finish after Angel Di Maria had teed him up brilliantly.
The dominant nature of the win and Alphonse Areola's clean sheet are other reasons for PSG to be happy with their evening's work.
Negatives
After a 3-0 home success, it is difficult to be too critical of Emery or his players -- they did what was asked of them and with minimal fuss.
The Spaniard could have made a few substitutions earlier, perhaps, after Dante made it 3-0 just seven minutes into the second half. However, Emery's decision to introduce Giovani Lo Celso in Adrien Rabiot's place after 65 minutes was already earlier than usual.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Emery's starting XI got the job done. The Basque tactician opted to replace Neymar with Angel Di Maria and was rewarded with a pair of assists. He will be happy with a win, a clean sheet and Cavani and Di Maria's fruitful performances.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Alphonse Areola, 6 -- Aside from one late save to deny Alassane Plea, the French stopper had little to do. On the rare occasions the youth academy graduate was called into action, though, he was assured.
DF Dani Alves, 6 -- The Brazil international thought he scored PSG's third goal but Dante actually put in through his own net. The South American got forward with regularity but Kylian Mbappe ahead of him often saw more of the ball.
DF Thiago Silva (c), 6 -- Although his central defensive partner Presnel Kimpembe was not his normal self, the captain still did not have to excel to keep the likes of Mario Balotelli and Wesley Sneijder quiet -- they did that themselves for the Parisien backline at times.
DF Presnel Kimpembe, 5 -- Although it was a relatively quiet night for PSG's defence, the youth academy graduate lacked his usual composure and looked like a headless chicken at times.
DF Yuri Berchiche, 6 -- The Spaniard started instead of Layvin Kurzawa at left-back and although he was not particularly decisive at either end, he contributed towards a much more balanced defensive unit.
MF Adrien Rabiot, 6 -- Deployed in the deep-lying role he is not too keen on, the France international was solid but unspectacular.
MF Marco Verratti, 6 -- The Italy international, like Rabiot, did not have to be at his best to be part of a more functional midfield.
MF Julian Draxler, 7 -- Although he usually plays further forward, the Germany international fared well in the middle and helped the hosts to be more creative than they usually are when Thiago Motta is part of the three-man unit.
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FW Kylian Mbappe, 5 -- The ex-Monaco starlet is still struggling for form. Although he was better than he was against Marseille, he still did not look quite right and needs to be sharper in front of goal.
FW Edinson Cavani, 7 -- El Matador's early headed opener was PSG's 2,500th in Ligue 1 and after his brace, which included a well-taken second, the man from Salto has 64 goals from his last 64 appearances with the capital club.
FW Angel Di Maria, 8 -- Neymar's suspension presented the Argentine with a chance to impress Emery and he took it with a dangerous display, which featured two assists -- the second of which was genius.
Substitutes
MF Giovani Lo Celso, 5 -- The Argentine got involved in his 25 minutes at the end of the match in place of Rabiot but Emery could have introduced him even earlier than he did as the game was over less than 10 minutes into the second half.
FW Javier Pastore, NR -- The club veteran pleased the Parc des Princes crowd with some silky skill and El Flaco certainly looked in a creative mood after replacing Mbappe.
FW Lucas Moura, NR -- Given the final five minutes after coming on for Cavani, the Brazilian could and should have actually made it 4-0 and a hat trick of assists for Di Maria but was denied by Nice goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
Source: espn.co.uk