Paris Saint-Germain 2 Montpellier 0: Cavani and Di Maria send Emery's men top

Paris Saint-Germain moved above Monaco into top
spot in Ligue 1 after beating Montpellier 2-0 at the
Parc des Princes on Saturday.
A point would have been enough to see the
champions leapfrog Leonardo Jardim's men, but
PSG cruised to a comfortable victory to boost their
title chances and pile pressure on Monaco.
Edinson Cavani gave PSG the lead midway through
the first half, turning home Blaise Matuidi's low
left-wing cross.
The Uruguayan's 31st league goal of the season
ensured he has now scored against all 27 teams
he has faced in Ligue 1.
And the points were made safe shortly after the
interval when Angel Di Maria bent a lovely finish
around Hilton and into the bottom corner to secure
an eighth straight league win for PSG.
Monaco have the chance to reclaim top spot when
they travel to Lyon on Sunday, but with the hosts
fourth in the table it will be a tricky test for the
Champions League semi-finalists.A cagey opening saw both sides holding back and
the first shot took 16 minutes to arrive, with Di
Maria's long-range effort comfortable for Laurent
Pionnier.
The Argentine then delivered a deft left-wing cross
for Cavani to head home, but the striker was offside
and the assistant's raised flag cut his celebrations
short.
Matuidi scored a brace in PSG's dramatic 3-2 win
at Metz last time out and the midfielder was denied
by Pionnier after being played in by Marco Verratti.
Thiago Motta hit the post with a deflected effort
from a corner as PSG continued to press and the
opening goal finally arrived after 29 minutes.

Maxwell and Di Maria combined to free Matuidi in
the left channel and his low cutback was tucked
away by Cavani with ease.
Montpellier almost responded immediately when
Ellyes Skhiri's looping header came back off the
crossbar with Kevin Trapp beaten, then Isaac
Mbenza blazed over after pinball in the PSG box.
That miss cost Montpellier as PSG doubled their
lead three minutes into the second half.
Matuidi won possession back deep in the visitors'
half and after Cavani's backheel freed Di Maria, his
curling shot from 25 yards left Pionnier helpless.


Trapp had to save well from Paul Lasne's low drive
as the visitors - who beat PSG at home earlier in
the season - continued to create chances.
Hilton cleared a Di Maria effort off the line after 61
minutes and Ryad Boudebouz almost scored a
sensational solo effort, only for his drive to flash
narrowly over the angle.
Pionnier blocked a Cavani effort with his legs, Di
Maria fired wide and Serge Aurier headed over the
crossbar as PSG sought to extend their advantage,
but a 2-0 win proved enough for Unai Emery's men
to claim top spot.