PSG 4-0 Marseille: Achraf Hakimi and Randal Kolo Muani star in Le Classique win but Kylian Mbappe hobbles off

PSG cruised to a 4-0 win over Marseille in Le Classique, although the hosts are now sweating on Kylian Mbappe’s fitness after the French star was withdrawn through injury.

Luis Enrique’s side made the dream start and took the lead after just eight minutes. Achraf Hakimi stepped up and curled in a magnificent free-kick from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Marseille came close to equalising after 23 minutes when Vitinha was found in the penalty area but the Portugal U21 international could only divert his header onto the top of the crossbar.

PSG suffered a blow after 32 minutes when Mbappe, who had tried to continue on with an ankle injury, was eventually forced off and replaced by Goncalo Ramos.

The Parisians consoled themselves with Mbappe’s absence by doubling their advantage just seven minutes later. Hakimi struck a fierce effort from distance which crashed off the post with Randal Kolo Muani on hand to fire home the rebound past Pau Lopez.

PSG made an even quicker start to the second half than they did in the first, with Ramos popping up to head home an Ousmane Dembele cross just two minutes into the second period. The goal, Ramos’ first in Parisian colours, could prove to be a big one for the confidence of the 22-year-old forward, especially if he is to feature more regularly in any absence of Mbappe.

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings in the second half, moving the ball about with a swagger and completely suffocating Marseille in possession.

They grabbed their fourth goal of the night courtesy of Ramos after some great work from Kolo Muani. Danilo Pereira headed clear a Marseille free-kick and Kolo Muani was able to accelerate through the gears down the right flank before finding Ramos in the centre who clipped his effort over Lopez.

This was always going to be a struggle for managerless Marseille. The visitors managed just 23% possession and failed to register a single shot on target.

After a slow start to the season that saw Luis Enrique’s side pick up just two wins from their first five Ligue 1 matches, a run that included a home defeat to Nice and draws to Lorient and Toulouse, there was a feeling that Paris had to kick into gear at some point and it may have happened this week.

The Parisians took their disappointment to losing to Nice into their Champions League match with Dortmund in midweek, beating the German side 2-0 and putting in an impressive performance that saw them have nearly 70% possession and take 17 shots. Tonight was another huge test and a chance for PSG to return to winning ways in the league – and it was a test that they passed with flying colours. Not only did PSG win, they completely dominated from start to finish, even whilst playing the majority of it without talisman Mbappe. With Clermont Foot and Newcastle United up next in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League respectively, PSG will be hoping they can come away with three points on both occasions and really kick their season into gear.

The award could have gone to any number of Paris Saint-Germain players in truth, Dembele and Kolo Muani were excellent, as was Ramos who came off the bench for Mbappe and scored a brace, but Hakimi was the standout.

Hakimi’s free-kick to open the scoring was tremendous and worthy of winning any match but it was his overall performance that was outstanding. He had 114 touches, won four duels, seven recoveries and won three fouls – more than any other player. His passing was accurate and more importantly, forward thinking. The Moroccan was also unlucky to not net a second, it was his long-range effort that struck the post for Kolo Muani to run onto to score.

PSG: Donnarumma 6, Marquinhos 8, Skriniar 7, Hernandez 7, Hakimi 9, Ugarte 8, Zaire-Emery 7, Barcola 8, Dembele 9, Kolo Muani 9, Mbappe 6. Subs: Ramos 9, Danilo 6, Ruiz 6, Mukiele N/A, Soler N/A

Marseille: Lopez 5, Lodi 6, Balerdi 6, Gigot 6, Mbemba 6, Clauss 6, Rongier 6, Ounahi 6, Veretout 6, Vitinha 6, Aubameyang 6. Subs: Harit 6, Ndiaye 6, Correa 5, Meite N/A, Nadir N/A

8’ GOAL! PSG 1-0 Marseille (Hakimi): Achraf Hakimi has fired Paris Saint-Germain ahead with a MAGNIFICENT free-kick! From what was more of a crossing position, Hakimi has opted to curl an effort into the top corner past Pau Lopez.

23’ VITINHA STRIKES THE CROSSBAR! That was almost an equaliser for Marseille! The ball is fired into the box towards the back post where Marseille striker Vitinha was waiting but he could only power his header onto the top of the crossbar.

39’ GOAL! PSG 2-0 Marseille (Kolo Muani): Kolo Muani is on hand to fire home a rebound to make it 2-0 in Le Classique! How important could that goal prove to be tonight?!

47’ GOAL! PSG 3-0 Marseille (Ramos): What a start to the second half! Goncalo Ramos has powered home a brilliant header to make it 3-0 to PSG!

89’ GOAL! PSG 4-0 Marseille (Ramos): Goncalo Ramos has made it 4-0! Danilo heads clear a Marseille free-kick, Kolo Muani is then able to sprint up the pitch before finding Ramos in the centre who dinks his effort over Lopez.

• Paris Saint-Germain have won eight of the last 10 Ligue 1 matches against Marseille, scoring 24 goals in the process and conceding just three times.