(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights PSG - STRASBOURG

Paris Saint-Germain perhaps had one eye on their midweek European fixture as they hosted a struggling Strasbourg side on the return from the international break. Third in the standings heading into the weekend, the champions started their ninth game of the season without having stood at the top for the first time since 2016. Game Mbappe was looking to put an end to a four-game goal drought in club action and was given the perfect opportunity after a clumsy challenge from Junior Mwanga on Gonzalo Ramos gifted his side an early penalty. France's superstar didn't need a second invitation, slotting past Matt Sales to end his barren run. It was the longest they've gone without scoring for PSG since early 2018. They're back on target and on the scoresheet now, perhaps rediscovering his goal-scoring touch with Les Bleus making netted three in two games. All signs alluded to a difficult day in store for Strasbourg but against the run of play it looked like they had drawn level through Lebo Motiba. South African slotted home a couple of minutes after the opener and was subsequently adjudged to be offside following a VAR review. It was instead PSG who got the next goal of the encounter, this time a goal scorer at turning provider. Mbappe with quick feet to iron himself half a yard of space and used it to put the ball across the goal of Carlos Saler there to tuck into an effectively empty net. Just about onside, just about kept in play after a quick feat from Mbappe. Saler firing high into the roof of the net. PSG were unbeaten in 32 home meetings with Strasbourg coming into this match. Longest unbeaten streak of any team hosting another in the top flight. They're on their way to making that 33 here. The league's top scorer has now 8-8, as many as Strasbourg's entire squad had a golden chance to make it 9-8 early in the second half. This time Sales came out on top. The striker was put through on goal. PSG, unthreatened by their opponents, lowered their intensity in the second half. While Strasbourg struggled to create from open play, they did threaten from dead balls. A make-up call. Jairzinho Niante headed straight at Gigi Donnarumma. The warning was heeded though and PSG proceeded to end the game as a contest. Fabian Ruiz receiving the ball from Saler. Dribbling his way through and dinking past Sales. And the Spaniard's 50th goal in both of Europe's top leagues. They've received 25 goals and 25 assists. And that's a particularly neatly taken number 50. So PSG ease to a win that gives them a boost ahead of their midweek Champions League clash with AC Milan. Meanwhile Strasbourg's strong start is becoming a distant memory after three consecutive defeats.