Le Havre 0-2 PSG - Kylian Mbappe helps nervy PSG past Le Havre despite Gianluigi Donnarumma red card
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Updated 03/12/2023 at 14:28 GMT
PSG were far from their fluent best on Sunday lunchtime but the French champions did enough to secure a nervy 1-0 win away at Ligue 1 surprise package Le Havre. The team from the capital were dealt an early blow with Fabian Ruiz having to go off injured before goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was shown a straight red card for a dangerous foul. Nevertheless the talismanic Kylian Mbappe was the hero.
Kylian Mbappe
Image credit: Getty Images
A tremendous goal from Kylian Mbappe and a deflected shot from Vitinha gave PSG a hard-fought win over a game Le Havre - who had chances to win it themselves - after Gianluigi Donnarumma's 10th minute red card. The hampions lead Ligue 1 by four points from Nice, while Le Havre stay ninth.
The home side ought to have taken the lead on seven minutes when Gautier Lloris, in front of goal with the keeper out of commission, placed his finish straight at Carlos Soler, covering on the line.
But when, shortly, afterwards, Donnarumma was dismissed for a wild and unnecessary hack on Josue Casimir, they'll have felt a decent result was within their grasp ... except Kylian Mbappe had other ideas.
The France superstar nearly scored on 20 minutes, forcing a good save from Arthur Desmas, before opening the scoring with a gorgeous touch and finish from 20 yards.
Le Havre, though, were not disheartened, dominating the second half and spurning further chances.
Arnau Tenas, making his debut in the Paris goal as a replacement for Donnarumma was superb, likewise Danilo. But then Vitinha clinched what might, as the end of the season, turn out to be a important victory.
Talking point - Donnarumma under pressure
Gianluigi Donnarumma is in the middle of a poor run of form, the kind that almost all, got not all, goalkeepers face in their careers.
The problem he has is that he’s just got himself sent off for ridiculous behaviour – or whatever the offence is now called – seen Arnau Tenas come in and play brilliantly, and must now sit out a likely three further games.
As such, Tenas – player of the match here, despite stern competition from Danilo – is now abler to establish himself. Of course, his performance today may just be one of those things – his Nigel Spink in the 1982 European Cup final, say – but it’ll fire him with confidence, and if he can maintain his level, Luis Enrique will have some thinking to do.
Problem being, Luis Enrique already had thinking to do, his Paris side the same as everyone else's: alright, but nowhere near as good as they should be. He, at least, is attempting to find a balanced XI, but with mixed success so far - however useful they find today's spawny win.
Player of the match - Arnau Tenas (PSG)
Came off the bench to make his debut, then made a succession of quality saves to help his team secure victory. He couldn't have wished for more.
Player ratings
Le Havre: Desmas 7, Nego 6, Sangarite 6, Kinkooue 6, Lloris 5, Operi 7, Kechta 6, Toure 5, Kuzyayev 6, Bayo 6, Casimir 6. Subs: Alioui 7,Joujou 6, Sabbi 6, Ndiaye 6, Grandsir 6.
PSG: Donnarumma 2, Hakimi 6, Danilo 8, Mukiele 6, Soler 6, Vitinha 5, Ruiz 6, Lee 5, Debele 5, Mbappe 7, Barcola 6. Subs: Tenas 9, Ugarte 6, Skriniar 6, Muani 6, Hernandez 6.
KEY STAT
Match highlights
7’ - OFF THE LINE!
The corner comes in and Paris don't clear it then, when the ball breaks behind the defensive line, Donnarumma dives to shove away, but only as far as Lloris who, rather than introduce laces to leather, or at least make sure but hitting a riser, instead tries to make sure, opening body to slide ... straight at Soler, who clears well.
10’ - RED CARD FOR DONNARUMMA!
WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?! A long clearance bounces in behind and Donnarumma, going through it at the moment, charges out of his box. Eyes on the ball, he looks to hack it clear when he might've headed, chested, or anything, instead absolutely annihilating Casimir and giving the ref no option. He's fuming, but the only target of his ire should be himself … and now what?!
23’ - WHAT A GOAL! LE HAVRE 0-1 PSG (MBAPPE) He's alright, you know. Demble goes down the right and cuts back to the edge, when Mbappe's first touch takes him away from from his man and creates space for a low, right-footed curler, that zips around the nearest defender and in off the inside-base of the base of the near post. A ridiculous piece of aggressive competence.
42’ - WHAT A MISS CASIMIR!
A ball in catches him on the half-turn and a glorious first touch allows him to turn Hakimi, who's too close, allow the ball through his own legs ... and he's in! But perhaps he feels breath on neck because he definitely panics, opening body to slide wide of the near post! Another colossal oversight!
78’ OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER DAYS!
Tenas is having a day out! Danilo heads out Operi's cross but Kuzyayev collects, feeds a fine first-time ball in for Alioui and this must be! But no! Tenas spreads legs, saving with a foot then, when the ball bounces back to the striker, he gets up, makes a second save, and rolls over to land on the loose ball! Increasingly, this is a statement performance, and Donnurumma will be wondering if he's getting back in!
89’ - GOAL! LE HAVRE 0-2 PSG (VINTINHA) Game over, and that's what happens when you miss your chances. Ugarte wins a big challenge in midfield, beats two men and finds Vitinham, who shoots from the edge ... and a deflection off Lloris lifts the ball over Desmas and in!
The corner comes in and Paris don't clear it then, when the ball breaks behind the defensive line, Donnarumma dives to shove away, but only as far as Lloris who, rather than introduce laces to leather, or at least make sure but hitting a riser, instead tries to make sure, opening body to slide ... straight at Soler, who clears well.
10’ - RED CARD FOR DONNARUMMA!
WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?! A long clearance bounces in behind and Donnarumma, going through it at the moment, charges out of his box. Eyes on the ball, he looks to hack it clear when he might've headed, chested, or anything, instead absolutely annihilating Casimir and giving the ref no option. He's fuming, but the only target of his ire should be himself … and now what?!
23’ - WHAT A GOAL! LE HAVRE 0-1 PSG (MBAPPE) He's alright, you know. Demble goes down the right and cuts back to the edge, when Mbappe's first touch takes him away from from his man and creates space for a low, right-footed curler, that zips around the nearest defender and in off the inside-base of the base of the near post. A ridiculous piece of aggressive competence.
42’ - WHAT A MISS CASIMIR!
A ball in catches him on the half-turn and a glorious first touch allows him to turn Hakimi, who's too close, allow the ball through his own legs ... and he's in! But perhaps he feels breath on neck because he definitely panics, opening body to slide wide of the near post! Another colossal oversight!
78’ OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER DAYS!
Tenas is having a day out! Danilo heads out Operi's cross but Kuzyayev collects, feeds a fine first-time ball in for Alioui and this must be! But no! Tenas spreads legs, saving with a foot then, when the ball bounces back to the striker, he gets up, makes a second save, and rolls over to land on the loose ball! Increasingly, this is a statement performance, and Donnurumma will be wondering if he's getting back in!
89’ - GOAL! LE HAVRE 0-2 PSG (VINTINHA) Game over, and that's what happens when you miss your chances. Ugarte wins a big challenge in midfield, beats two men and finds Vitinham, who shoots from the edge ... and a deflection off Lloris lifts the ball over Desmas and in!
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