Player ratings as PSG earn 4-2 win over Strasbourg

Paris Saint-Germain made it two Ligue 1 victories from two on Saturday night, surviving a shock Strasbourg comeback to win 4-2 at the Parc des Princes.

The hosts got off to a flying start inside the opening five minutes, as Mauro Icardi leapt highest to head Abdou Diallo’s devilish cross into the top corner of Matz Sels’ net. Kylian Mbappe doubled the lead soon after, striking a deflected shot which wrong-footed the Strasbourg shot-stopper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jlllqK–jE?feature=oembed

One minute later, it was three. Mbappe beat his man, reached the byline and crossed into the middle, where Julian Draxler was waiting to nudge the ball over the line. The game looked dead and buried come the half-time whistle, but Strasbourg had other ideas.

The visitors gave themselves a glimmer of hope on 53 minutes, when Kevin Gameiro nipped in front of his marker to place a neat header into the far corner. And Ludovic Ajorque repeated the heroics 10 minutes later, leaping to convert brilliantly to set the nerves jangling around the Parc des Princes.

Strasbourg were later reduced to 10 men when Alexander Djiku received two yellows in the space of three minutes, and PSG wrapped up the points after Mbappe once again laid it on a plate for a teammate, and Pablo Sarabia was the lucky recipient to tap home inside the six-yard box.

Let’s get stuck into the player ratings.

Keylor Navas (GK) – 6/10 – Would Gianluigi Donnarumma have saved either of those headers? Possibly. This guy’s position as the number one goalkeeper has to be under threat.

Achraf Hakimi (RB) – 7/10 – Fired a rasping drive which was destined for the far corner, but his effort was blocked by a desperate body. Exciting going forward, but left the odd gap in behind.

Thilo Kehrer (CB) – 6/10 – Beaten in the air for the second goal, and looked far less comfortable as the minutes ticked by. Won’t last long when Sergio Ramos is fully fit.

Presnel Kimpembe (CB) – 6/10 – Produced a vital headed interception to stop Strasbourg equalising early on. Struggled in the second half against Strasbourg’s aerial threat.

Abdou Diallo (LB) – 7/10 – A winger’s cross to supply Icardi for the opener. Perfect bend and curl to locate the Argentine’s forehead.

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) – 7/10 – Easiest money Wijnaldum has ever earned during that first half. Perhaps too easy in the end, as PSG allowed the visitors back into the game.

Ander Herrera (CM) – 6/10 – Alive to any potential threats that could come his way, although he couldn’t cover the backline in the second half, as Strasbourg went on the attack.

Eric Ebimbe (CM) – 7/10 – Bright and lively in the middle. Linked up nicely on the left with Mbappe and bombed in behind to try and create scoring chances. Impressive, although against little competition.

Julian Draxler (RW) – 8/10 – Offered a superb driving, mazy run through a series of Strasbourg challenges, but the cross came to nothing. Raced into the box to tap home the third from under the crossbar. A constant threat.

Mauro Icardi (ST) – 7/10 – Got PSG moving in style, rising and hanging in the air to head home Diallo’s cross. That’s what he’s there for. Didn’t do too much afterwards.

Kylian Mbappe (LW) – 9/10 – Booed before kickoff, but cheered upon doubling the lead with a deflected strike from the corner of the box. Fortunate, but he’ll claim it. Supplied the third with a deflected cross. Got the assist for the fourth, too. Unstoppable.

Danilo Pereira (CM) – 6/10

Pablo Sarabia (RW) – 7/10

Rafinha (CM) – N/A

Arnaud Kalimuendo (ST) – N/A