Paris Saint-Germain moved back to the top of the Ligue 1 table after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick gave them a 3-0 victory over Reims on Saturday.
Mbappe put the visitors ahead within just three minutes, executing his far-post volley perfectly. Despite Reims' first-half dominance, they couldn't find a deserved equaliser before half-time, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in sparkling shot-stopping form.
PSG were much improved in the second half, Mbappe doubling the visitors' advantage with a far-post tap-in from Carlos Soler's cross. The World Cup winner eventually did grab his hat-trick with just under ten minutes remaining, tucking home from Bradley Barcola's cutback to finish the game off.
How the game unfolded
After PSG's disappointing 2-1 defeat away at Milan in the Champions League midweek, it was important that Luis Enrique got a reaction from his side. The French champions knew a victory would take them back to the top of Ligue 1 after Nice could only manage a point away at Montpellier on Friday night, but a trip to fourth-placed Reims would not be straightforward.
However, it took all of three minutes for PSG to take the lead at Stade Auguste Delaune, and of course, it was Mbappe. Former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele sent a searching cross to the far post and his fellow countryman's exquisite cushioned volley flew beyond Yehvann Diouf.
Reims thought they had levelled moments later, but Junya Ito's well-taken effort was ruled out for an offside in the build-up. It may not have levelled the scores, but it served as a warning sign to Enrique's side, with the Japan international also testing Donnarumma with a low, driven free kick.
Having made some good saves in the first half, Donnarumma almost went from hero to villain, his stray pass intercepted within the penalty area. Azor Matusiwa picked it up, but, fortunately for PSG, could only fire wide from close range. However, the Italian goalkeeper quickly redeemed himself with a wonderful save to deny Reims a late first-half equaliser.
PSG looked significantly more assured at the beginning of the second half but required another fine save from Donnarumma, the goalkeeper pushing away Emmanuel Agbadou's header from a corner after 56 minutes. It would prove a significant stop too, with the visitors doubling their lead shortly afterwards.
Mbappe made a sensational dart to the far post following a swift PSG counter-attack, with Soler finding him from a delightful cross. It was a simple tap-in for the Frenchman, but it was such intelligent forward play to find the space behind the Reims defence.
PSG went from looking nervy to completely comfortable, producing some wonderful attacking football as the game progressed. Substitute Vitinha shot over from just outside the box after some neat footwork, while Mbappe was denied a third after a firm save from Diouf.
However, Mbappe couldn't be rebuffed any longer, grabbing a hat-trick with 82 minutes on the clock. Barcola pulled the ball back from the right-hand side before the 24-year-old side-footed his effort beyond Diouf to wrap up the points for PSG.
PSG player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 9/10 - Despite the one error that almost proved costly, Donnarumma was magnificent. The Italian was tested frequently but was impenetrable. An inspired display.
RB: Carlos Soler - 6/10 - Struggled in a less familiar right-back role, with the majority of Reims' best chances coming down his side. Questionable defensively, but supplied Mbappe with a lovely assist.
CB: Marquinhos - 7/10 - Made a crucial intervention to deny Marshall Munetsi just after PSG doubled their lead, poking the ball away from the Reims forward as he was readying a shot.
CB: Milan Skriniar - 7/10 - PSG's entire backline found life difficult up against Reims, especially in the first half. However, it was a mature display from the centre-back.
LB: Nordi Mukiele - 7/10 - A good battle up against the impressive Ito, with both players coming away from their tussle with credit. Mukiele enjoyed a much simpler second half.
CM: Warren Zaire-Emery - 6/10 - Some neat touches in central areas. Grew into the game after a quiet first half, though it was not a particularly memorable outing for the youngster.
CM: Fabian Ruiz - 7/10 - Dictated the tempo of the game well and was characteristically comfortable in possession.
CM: Lee Kang-in - 6/10 - Not the busiest afternoon for the South Korean, failing to get too involved in proceedings.
RW: Ousmane Dembele - 7/10 - Some delightful footwork and sharp bursts of speed throughout, also providing a sumptuous cross for Mbappe's opener.
ST: Goncalo Ramos - 4/10 - Anonymous throughout the first half and understandably hooked at half-time.
LW: Kylian Mbappe - 9/10 - A sublime volley put PSG a goal to the good early on and his magnificent far-post run enabled him an easy tap-in to double his tally. Grabbed his hat-trick with time to spare in another decisive performance.
Substitutes
SUB: Vitinha (46' for Ramos) - 7/10 - While it could be a coincidence, PSG got an awful lot better with Vitinha on the pitch. Helped change the game, giving the visitors some overloads in midfield.
SUB: Bradley Barcola (74' for Dembele) - 7/10
SUB: Cher Ndour (77' for Kang-in) - 6/10
SUB: Lucas Hernandez (81' for Soler) - N/A
Subs not used: Alexandre Letellier (GK), Arnau Tenas (GK), Layvin Kurzawa, Ethan Mbappe, Manuel Ugarte.
Manager
Luis Enrique - 7/10 - Needed a reaction and got one from his players in the second half. The first 45 minutes were a little uncertain, but his PSG side ran out comfortable winners in the end, albeit owing a debt of gratitude to Donnarumma.
