Mbappe and Messi click as PSG hits its stride

Kylian Mbappe scored twice from Lionel Messi assists as an impressive Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat Saint-Etienne 3-1 and further extend its lead at the top of France's Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Denis Bouanga put the struggling visitor in front at Parc des Princes only for Mbappe to equalize just before the interval, and the France forward struck again just after the restart.

He then set up Danilo Pereira to head in the host's third goal as Mauricio Pochettino's team bounced back from losing 3-1 at Nantes the previous weekend and moved 16 points clear of Nice and Marseille as it cruises toward the French title.

PSG was three goals behind at halftime against Nantes and it was punished for a slow start again on Saturday when Gabon international Bouanga pounced on a mistake by Pereira to fire past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Yet the home side eventually came to life and Mbappe continued his outstanding recent form, with his brace taking him to 24 goals in all competitions this term.

Mbappe has now scored 156 goals in a PSG shirt, equaling Zlatan Ibrahimovic's tally from his four-year spell in Paris between 2012 and 2016.

Only Edinson Cavani, with 200, has scored more goals for the club.

"It is not easy to describe his performances. He is incredible. I am proud of him," said PSG boss Pochettino.

Mbappe was withdrawn to a standing ovation late on at Parc des Princes, where supporters kept themselves warm on a bitterly cold night by performing a Mexican wave as their team turned on the style.

The World Cup-winning striker will now serve a suspension and so will miss this weekend's trip to Nice which will be followed by the second leg of PSG's Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid in Spain on March 9. PSG leads 1-0 from the first leg when Mbappe netted.

On Saturday, he scored the equalizer three minutes before the interval, latching onto Messi's excellent pass and firing in a shot that Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni should have saved.

Messi then produced another terrific pass for Mbappe to emphatically fire in two minutes after the restart to put the home side ahead.

"He is magnificent. All that was lacking today was a goal," Pochettinto told broadcaster Canal Plus of Messi's influence. "We are gradually playing better and better."

The third goal arrived in the 52nd minute as Mbappe delivered a superb cross with the outside of his right boot for Portuguese midfielder Pereira to head in. PSG then came close to increasing its lead on several occasions.

Angel Di Maria, on as a substitute, hit the post direct from a corner, while the lively Neymar and Gini Wijnaldum also struck the woodwork late on.

AFP