Daijiworld Media Network – Paris
Paris, Aug 31: Joao Neves struck a stunning hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain outclassed Toulouse 6-3 in a high-scoring Ligue 1 clash on Saturday, keeping their perfect start to the season intact.
Ousmane Dembele converted two penalties while Bradley Barcola added one more for PSG. Charlie Cresswell, Yann Gboho and Alexis Vossah scored for Toulouse, who also missed a spot-kick.
The win comes after PSG’s narrow 1-0 victories over Nantes and Angers, putting them top of the table with nine points, two ahead of Lille, who hammered Lorient 7-1.
Neves, the 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder with only three league goals last season, produced two breathtaking overhead kicks inside the opening 15 minutes before completing his hat-trick in the second half. “It’s more a result you’d expect in pre-season than in a regular league match, but we are happy,” remarked coach Luis Enrique.
Dembele, tipped as a Ballon d’Or favourite, netted both penalties before being substituted due to injury. Barcola also scored in the first half, while Cristian Casseres missed from the spot for Toulouse.
Gboho and Vossah added late consolations, but PSG’s firepower proved too much for the hosts. The Parisians, who also lifted the UEFA Super Cup earlier this season, will next host Lens after the international break, ahead of their Champions League title defence against Atalanta on September 17.
Elsewhere, debutant Hamza Igamane scored twice as Lille demolished Lorient, while Mostafa Mohamed’s early strike gave Nantes a 1-0 win over Auxerre.