AS Saint-Etienne

2.82

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Stéphane Ruffier

  Guilty of going to ground too readily to concede the penalty, which invited the award of the spot kick – even if it was not the correct decision. Not in the best of form in recent weeks, and that continued in this encounter.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  M. Bayal

  Largely culpable for the opening goal, where he failed to use his bulk to shrug Pastore off the ball. Looked troubled for pace by Ibrahimovic, but was imposing in the air, at least.

• 
  1

  0

  3.50

  François Clerc

  Scored a stunning equaliser with the outside of his boot that was the icing on a fine display. Readily raided forward down the right-hand side, where he showed some imagination with his passing. Also produced a steadfast defensive performance for les Verts.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Renaud Cohade

  The metronome in the Saint-Etienne midfield as always. Cohade rarely gave the ball away but was able to change the point of attack with sharp, effective passing. Had a first-half shot from the edge of the box straight at Sirigu. His corners were a real source of threat.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Fabien Lemoine

  Failed to exert any real influence on the game in the opening period of the match. Seemed to be improving quickly after the break but was replaced promptly by Bodmer.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Joshua Guilavogui

  The young midfielder stood up to the challenge of facing PSG well, although he started the game somewhat nervously and seemed loathed to try anything too taxing. Reacted to a late challenge from Beckham with particular nonchalance.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Jonathan Brison

  Typified the swashbuckling nature of his side by showing great willingness to offer width from deep, and was even prepared to have a shot or two at goal. Did have a slight tendency to get caught a little far ahead of the game.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Loïc Perrin

  A clever presence in the Saint-Etienne rearguard rather than an imposing one. He would show some weakness in his aerial ability at times, but he made up for this with his reading of the game and his ability with the ball, too.

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

  Showed that he is not simply a goalscorer as he delivered a wonderful cross that induced Saint-Etienne’s goal. Terrorised Maxwell down the right with his sheer pace and would latterly do likewise to the whole of the PSG back line. Drew an excellent save from Sirigu in the second half, though his eight-match scoring streak in Ligue 1 ended.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Yohann Mollo

  Made the occasional burst down the left but was more active when shifted across to the right during the first period. Showed much more in the second period, when he used his quick feet to unhinge the back four. Nearly released Aubameyang with an incredible pass that was just too hard shortly after the interval.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Brandao

  Put himself about in his customary industrial style and certainly rattled the PSG back line at times, yet his lack of quality was evident against Thiago Silva. Got more joy against Alex, and it was his presence that acted as a catalyst that brought about the own goal.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Faouzi Ghoulam

  Showed his fine left foot during his brief cameo.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Romain Hamouma

  Introduced with 30 minutes to go in place of Mollo, and gave a good account of himself on the left.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Mathieu Bodmer

  Brought more dynamism and thrust to the Saint-Etienne midfield against his parent club.

Paris Saint-Germain

2.92

• 
  5

  0

  3.00

  Salvatore Sirigu

  Foolishly got himself into an argument with Brandao moments after his side went 2-0 up, and a harsher referee might have dismissed him for going head-to-head with the Brazilian. Was left rather helpless when Alex bundled the ball by him just before the break and had no chance with the equaliser. Good save earlier from Aubameyang.

• 
  6

  0

  3.00

  Thiago Silva

  Coped well with the physical presence of Brandao. The Brazilian was an assured presence in the centre of the PSG defence, which is much the better for his presence. Cut out some dangerous passes around the box simply by his fine reading of the game.

• 
  2

  2

  2.50

  Alex

  Does not possess the grace of Thiago Silva, but the former Chelsea centre-back was an immense physical presence in the PSG rearguard. Was caught out by Brandao’s movement on occasion, though, and this was part of the reason he was pressured into an own goal.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Maxwell

  Is prone to struggle against attackers with great pace, and Aubameyang really exposed this weakness in his game to deliver a handful of dangerous crosses. Was not aided by some lethargic work from Pastore. Used his experience to minimise this damage and was steady going forward.

• 
  0

  3

  2.50

  Gregory van der Wiel

  Has often been heavily criticised this season. Was particularly effective when he was able to get on the front foot, although his crossing could have been more accurate. Early in the second half he was troubled by Mollo.

• 
  3

  1

  3.00

  Blaise Matuidi

  Against his former side the midfielder picked up an early ankle knock, yet he turned in a typically effective performance in the centre of the park. Was strong in his challenge, energetic off the ball and used possession well. Another excellent showing.

• 
  1

  2

  2.50

  Clément Chantôme

  Asked to play an alien role on the right of the midfield, Chantome was dogged out of possession but was only of limited use in an attacking sense. Withdrawn early in the second half.

• 
  5

  2

  3.50

  Javier Pastore

  Has had a disappointing season overall, but his clipped finish after only nine minutes highlighted that he is still a player of some class. Needed to be more proactive defensively to help curb the attacks the home side launched down his flank, which were not without potency.

• 
  22

  1

  3.50

  David Beckham

  Made his first Ligue 1 start at the venue he was dismissed for England against Argentina in World Cup 1998. Showed his range of passing on a handful of occasions, but still seems to be surprised at the pace is played at and was prone to being caught in possession. His free kicks were very dangerous, and he nearly won the match late on with one such effort.

• 
  5

  3

  3.50

  Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  Dismissed in the previous league meeting against Sainte, the Swede made an immediate impression in this clash as he fed Pastore to score the opening goal. Added a second himself from the penalty spot, showing his composure to clip it home in the style of Panenka. Had a chance to seal the points 20 minutes from time but flashed a shot wide.

• 
  3

  2

  2.50

  Ezequiel Lavezzi

  A quiet night by his standards, yet he won the penalty that made 2-0 with a controversial penalty kick. Struggled to get involved otherwise but certainly worked hard.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  1

  2.50

  Christophe Jallet

  Came on for Clement. Released Ibrahimovic with a fine long pass, but the Swede hit wide.

• 
  2

  1

  3.00

  Kevin Gameiro

  Menaced with his pace in the closing stages.