Paris: Paris St Germain went a provisional seven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after Edinson Cavani’s brace in the first half and an own goal by Dante secured a 3-0 home win over Nice, Friday.
The result left PSG atop the standings with 29 points from 11 games, though second-placed champions Monaco can reduce the gap when they visit Bordeaux. Nice, who finished third last season, stayed 14th with 10 points after their fourth successive league defeat.
PSG were unfazed by the absence of Brazilian forward Neymar, who was suspended for the game following a red card in the previous game against Marsille, as Angel di Maria made the most of a rare start in the wake of strong competition up front.
The Argentine winger set up both of Cavani’s goals, having whipped in a third-minute free-kick from the left which the Uruguay hitman superbly headed home at the near post.
The pair combined again in the 31st as Di Maria carved open the visiting defence with a perfectly weighed pass and Cavani tucked the ball into an empty net after beating the offside trap and rounding goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
Benitez was powerless when centre back Dante put the ball into his own net in the 52nd minute after Cavani headed a teasing cross from the left back into the six-yard box.
Cavani was given a standing ovation by the home fans when he was substituted for Lucas Moura in the 85th minute and Neymar also applauded his teammate from the VIP box.
reuters