PSG 2-0 Monaco: Player ratings as Mbappe stars against former club

Kylian Mbappe's brace gave Paris Saint-Germain a 2-0 victory over a tricky and spirited Monaco side on Sunday night, extending their lead at the Ligue 1 summit.

The visitors were threatening from the outset and were very nearly ahead within two minutes, although Sofiane Diop could only hit the woodwork after capitalising on some sloppy play in the PSG midfield.

The 21-year-old and his Monaco teammates were made to rue that missed chance as the hosts quickly found their feet and broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. Mauricio Pochettino's side were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, allowing Mbappe to fire home from the spot.

Monaco retained their positive mindset but found themselves 2-0 down just before the half-time whistle. Lionel Messi broke forward after latching onto a criminally sloppy pass by Youssouf Fofana, eventually finding Mbappe who curled the ball into Alex Nubel's bottom corner.

In what was a much more subdued second period, both sides lowered their intensity somewhat and couldn't quite get the game's third goal.

Messi struck narrowly wide of the post for PSG while Gelson Martins was an inch or two too short to get Monaco back into the game. Despite dropping a couple of gears after the interval, the Parisians were able to quite comfortably see the game out and hold on to a well-earned victory.

The 2-0 win extends Pochettino's men's lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 13 points, most probably expelling any sort of contest for the title.

Here's how the Parisians rated on the night.

PSG player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) - 7/10 - Saved by the post inside the first couple of minutes but was confident and composed throughout.

Achraf Hakimi (RB) - 6/10 - An uncharacteristically quiet evening for the marauding full-back; nothing brilliant, nothing terrible.

Marquinhos (CB) - 7/10 - Invariably alert to danger, consistently taking up positions to stifle the opposition and make five clearances.

Abdou Diallo (CB) - 8/10 - Followed up a good performance in midweek with another resolute outing here, showing impressive natural instincts to recover possession eight times.

Juan Bernat (LB) - 6/10 - Occasionally looked a little shaky defensively but got up the field to good effect, proving a menace when bursting into the final third. Forced off right after the interval with a hamstring injury.

2. Midfielders

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) - 5/10 - Took up typically dangerous positions when floating around and making late runs into the area, although failed to produce anything with the situations he created for himself and faded in the second half.

Marco Verratti (CM) - 6/10 - Showed his intelligence to read play brilliantly and register four ball recoveries but was bizarrely loose in possession at times.

Idrissa Gueye (CM) - 6/10 - Combative in the middle of the park, tenaciously harrying and pressing his opposition throughout and making six defensive interventions.

3. Forwards

Angel Di Maria (RW) - 7/10 - Busy and creative throughout, proving a real thorn in Monaco's side - notably winning the deadlock-breaking spot kick.

Lionel Messi (CF) - 8/10 - Elusive and free-flowing in his movement, pulling strings with his unmistakable brilliance. Got a lovely assist for Mbappe's second.

Kylian Mbappe (LW) - 9/10 - Just awe-inspiring when he's in full flow. A spectacular player who was once again his side's brightest spark, deservedly notching the opener and beautifully slotting in the second.

4. Substitutes

Thilo Kehrer (CB) - 6/10 - A solid replacement for Bernat, slotting into a central position.

Leandro Paredes (CM) - 6/10

Ander Herrera (CM) - 6/10

Mauro Icardi (ST) - N/A