Paris St. Germain (PSG)

2.77

• 
  24

  2

  3.50

  Salvatore Sirigu Top of the Match

  A poor performer a week ago as PSG suffered a surprise loss to Sochaux, he laid the foundations for his side with a terrific showing in goal. Was stretched in the first period by Kadir and Valbuena, but made good saves from both. Continued this form after the break by making several more crucial blocks, including a fine clawed save from an Ayew header.

• 
  9

  8

  2.50

  Alex

  A strong performance from the Brazilian centre-back, who was dominant in the air and uncompromising in the heart of the back four when forced to make challenges on the deck.

• 
  12

  6

  2.50

  Maxwell

  Generally one of PSG’s most consistent performers, though this was a difficult evening for the former Barcelona man. Struggled to contain Kadir down the left, but dealt with the threat in a mature manner and did not allow his opponent to come by anything easily.

• 
  8

  4

  2.50

  Sylvain Armand

  The only member of the PSG squad who has previously won Ligue 1, he was nevertheless a surprise selection in the middle of the defence due to injuries to Thiago Silva and Mamadou Sakho. Was well worth his place in the side as he played a calm match. Produced a vital tackle on Gignac and then a fine block on Valbuena early in the second half.

• 
  7

  6

  2.50

  Christophe Jallet

  Was on the front foot whenever possible, even getting so far forward as to reach the Marseille box on frequent occasions. His attacking instincts did mean that he was caught out of position at times, but Marseille failed to exploit this.

• 
  12

  4

  2.50

  Blaise Matuidi

  Known as ‘the Duracell Bunny’ by fans of the capital side, he showed his value to the side by working immensely hard. Was not afraid to throw himself into big tackles, though when he raided forward his technique was a little lacking at time.

• 
  21

  2

  2.50

  Marco Verratti

  Took some real chances around his own box as he refused to go long, yet his first-class technique ensured that no danger came of these hairy situations. A slight error right at the start of the second half nearly cost his side, and at times he seemed a little flustered by the atmosphere. Not always tidy in his defensive play, his commitment cannot be faulted.

• 
  23

  5

  2.50

  Javier Pastore

  Preferred to Menez by Carlo Ancelotti, the ex-Palermo playmaker did not have his strongest game. His passing was not quite on the money, although one raking pass around the hour mark was exquisite, and he seemed just a little off the pace in this high-speed encounter.

• 
  42

  2

  3.00

  Lucas

  Was unlucky not to be credited with his first goal for the club as it was his shot that found the net via a couple of deflections. Another impressive performance from the young Brazilian, whose direct running has already won over the fans at Parc des Princes. Was willing to do dirty work, too, and tackled hard.

• 
  42

  10

  3.00

  Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  The Swede was at his best early on, producing a wonderful touch round a defender to create a fine chance for Lavezzi. This was not typical of his play all evening, as he had the frustrating tendency to stray offside and failed to make the correct runs at crucial moments. Finished the game well by securing the points with a fortunate second.

• 
  30

  3

  3.50

  Ezequiel Lavezzi

  Looked very lively in attack and set the tone for his evening by cracking the post with little more than 60 seconds of the match. Twisted and turned throughout and refused to be pinned down. An excellent performance that missed only the final touch. He was the star of the show.

Substitutions

• 
  17

  4

  Jérémy Menez

  Came on very late.

• 
  12

  5

  Clément Chantôme

  Arrived at the same time as Beckham and was a solid performer.

• 
  173

  11

  David Beckham

  Given the last 15 minutes of the game as PSG tried to kill the game off, and he had a hand in the build up to the second goal.

Olympique de Marseille

2.45

• 
  4

  1

  2.50

  Steve Mandanda

  Has endured some nervous moments in recent weeks but could not be faulted from the opening goal, which dribbled over the line due to a couple of deflections. His handling was shaky at times and just before the break he was lucky to get away with a charge away from his goal in which he seemed to fail to communicate with Nkoulou.

• 
  4

  2

  2.00

  N. N'Koulou Flop of the Match

  A highly-regarded defender, the young Cameroon star had a difficult time pinning down the tandem of Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi. Twice lucky before half-time as he was guilty of a risky back pass and was then fortunate not to concede a penalty. May yet be officially credited with an own goal, but this was simply an unfortunate deflection off him, and was booked for diving in the PSG box.

• 
  2

  2

  2.50

  Lucas

  Like his central defensive counterpart, he found it difficult to contain the PSG forwards, whose movement and trickery was difficult to restrain. Improved after the break, when his reading of the game was to the fore.

• 
  2

  1

  2.50

  Jérémy Morel

  A player lamented by the Marseille supporters, he failed to do anything to win over his critics as he gave away cheap possession early, leading to a PSG chance. Against Lucas he failed to quell the Brazilian, and his attacking qualities were not on show either.

• 
  2

  1

  2.50

  Rod Fanni

  Much of PSG’s threat came down his channel, but equally the former Rennes right-back combined very well with Kadir in an offensive sense and produced some fine crosses into the box.

• 
  16

  3

  2.50

  Joey Barton

  There was a great deal of attention on the Englishman prior to this match, and he provided a great deal of industry in the centre of the field for OM. Initially asked to play a rather defensive role, he was increasingly given a licence to roam forward and had a header comfortably saved by Sirigu. Can be very pleased with his efforts.

• 
  4

  1

  2.50

  Foued Kadir

  The former Valenciennes player was featuring in his first Classique, and was Marseille’s outstanding offensive player for much of this match. Gave Maxwell real problems down the right-hand side, even nutmegging the Brazilian on one occasion before a fearsome shot was turned over the top. Lost his influence in the second half and was replaced with 15 minutes left.

• 
  2

  3

  2.50

  Alaixys Romao

  The chief anchor in the middle of the Marseille defence, he failed to shield the rearguard from danger, though this was partly because of the direct nature of PSG’s play. Produced a vital saving challenge on Ibrahimovic 10 minutes before the break.

• 
  7

  1

  3.00

  Mathieu Valbuena

  Would have wanted to have seen more of the ball, but when ‘Le Petit Velo’ was given room to run he was a very threatening presence. A slight deflection on his free kick towards the end of the first half drew a fine save from Sirigu.

• 
  6

  2

  2.50

  André Pierre Gignac

  Was a big doubt prior to this match, but as his side’s talisman this season he was given the opportunity to start. Largely peripheral in this encounter, but did muster one good effort on target before the end of the first half and linked play well when he had the chance. Denied brilliantly by Sirigu early in the second period.

• 
  8

  4

  2.00

  André Ayew

  Noted for his attacking threat, the Ghanaian worked immensely hard defensively to make a couple of excellent challenges. Took up some good positions but was not optimally used. Picked up a first-half booking for a robust challenge on Ibrahimovic.

Substitutions

• 
  3

  3

  Modou Sougou

  Unable to make an impact in his late cameo.