After only two games into the new season, Neymar Jr has already registered six goal contributions in the Ligue 1 following his two goals performance against Montpellier on Saturday, adding to his one goal three assists on opening day at Clermont Foot.
The Brazilian doubled PSG lead from the spot two minutes from the end of the first half, after Falaye Sacko had given the host the lead with an own goal four minutes earlier.
Neymar took over the penalty duty from Kylian Mbappé, who had missed one earlier in the game and the Brazilian did his trademark run before sending Jonas Omlin the wrong way.
Neymar made it 3-0 with his second of the night six minutes after the restart, heading home a deflected cross from Achraf Hakimi.
Wahbi Khazri pulled one back for the visitors two minutes from the hour mark but Kylian Mbappé restored PSG’s three goal cushion eleven minutes later with his first league goal of the season on his return from injury.
The Frenchman gets on the end of a loose ball from a corner and poked home to atone for his first-half penalty miss.
Neymar thought he had completed a hat-trick in the 85th minute but his effort was ruled out for an offside by the VAR but debutant, Renato Sanches scored two minutes after coming on in the 86th minute to make it 5-1 PSG
19-year-old Defender, Enzo Tchato scores another consolation for Montpellier for his first professional goal in the final minute of added time as it finished 5-2 to PSG, who extend their winning run against Montpellier to seven.
Neymar, however, who was a subject of speculation of a move away from PSG earlier this summer has started the season on a spectacular form, since the curtain raiser against Nantes in the final of the France Super Cup, where he led the side to a 4-0 win.
The former Barcelona playmaker scored twice and gave a man of the match performance, while he has also been the start in the two league games played so far.
Joint most goals, most assists, most big chances created, most chances created, the 30-year-old is leading the numbers in the France topflight as looks in the mood for more.
Having endured of difficult first five years in France no thanks to injuries, Neymar will hope to stay fit this season and prove wrong his critics and so far, he looks unplayable as he has always been all through his career when fit.
Unfortunately for Christophe Galtier, the ego of the players, which has negatively affect past managers at the club could be about to upset the atmosphere at the club given the drama that happened just before half time at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.
Kylian Mbappé, who looks as the team’s penalty taker took one in the 23rd minute and saw his effort saved by Montpellier‹s Swiss goalkeeper, Jonas Omlin.
Around 20 minutes later, PSG were awarded another spot kick and the Frenchman, being the penalty taker, Mbappé approached Neymar and ask to take the penalty for a second time but the Brazilian turned down the request before scoring to double PSG’s lead.
The win was sealed and both ended up getting on the score sheet but Neymar taking the penalty will not go down well with Kylian Mbappé, who is considered the most important player at the club following his contract renewal.
This is not an easy trouble to settle and new manager, Christophe Galtier will now feel heat previous managers of the club have endured.
It will be interesting to see what happens when such scenario repeat itself in the future.
In the other games, Ismaily scored late in the second half for Lille to rescue a point against Nantes, who took a first half lead thanks to a Moses Simon’s goal. 1-1 it finished.
It also ended 1-1 between Monaco and Rennes. The host, Monaco were reduced to 10men in the 15th minute following a red card to Youssouf Fofana. Monaco were awarded a penalty in the first half but Axel Disasi saw his effort saved by Steve Mandanda.
Rennes took the lead one minute before the hour mark courtesy of Gaëtan Laborde but Breel Embolo scored 18 minute from time to ensure the host take something away from the game.
It finished goalless between Ajaccio and Lens while Angers come from two goals down to rescue a point against Auxurre.
Clermont Foot came from two goals down to win 4-2 away at Reims. The home side led 2-0 in the first half hour thanks to two penalties from Kamory Doumbia and Arsenal loanee, Folarin Balogun.
The visitors came back in the second half and were already back on level terms only two minutes after the hour mark thanks to a brace from summer signing, Komnen Andric.
Mohammed-Cham Saracevic have Clermont in front for the first time in the 72nd minute while another summer signing, Jérémie Bela put the result beyond doubt five minute later.
Rafael Latao, Rhys Healey and a Yasser Larouci own goal sealed a 3-0 win for Toulouse as they extend their unbeaten run against Troyes to ten, of which six has been victories.
It finished 1-1 between Nice and Strasbourg with Andy Derlot and Kevin Gameiro scoring in either half for the host and visitors respectively and the same was the outcome in Brest as the spoils was shared with Marseille.
Nuno Tavares scored in consecutive games for Marseille to establish a first-half lead while former Premier League player, Pierre Lees-Melou restored parity for Brest just after the hour mark as it finished 1-1.
While Lyon’s meeting with Lorient has been postponed, only PSG was able to make it two wins from two in the Ligue 1 while the likes of Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Lens are on four points following draws this weekend.
Toulouse also added three to the one point earned in opening weekend and are also on four while Troyes and Reims remain the only time teams yet to record a point after the second Gameweek.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
1 Comment
This mbappe Messi Neymar issue is to big for the coach