Cavani gets a RED! He's off. Is that a makeup call for the dubious penalty. #RCLPSG #beINLigue1 https://t.co/qhWgvUYg4i
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 17, 2014
Goals: RC Lens—Coulibaly 10'; PSG—Cabaye 28', Maxwell 33', Cavani (penalty) 55'
Recap: Ninety minutes of controversial football saw Paris Saint-Germain capture a 3-1 victory over RC Lens on Friday.
The hosts took a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes, punishing PSG on a clinical counter-attack. A remarkable save from Rudy Riou on Edinson Cavani sprung the opportunity. Nine minutes later, Riou would once again get the better of his Ligue 1 counterpart, saving an attempt on a 1v1 opportunity. Yohan Cabaye, however, would not be denied. The 28-year-old equalized in the 28th minute. Maxwell would capitalize on a failed clearance just five minutes later.
After diving to draw a foul in the box, Cavani sealed the 3-1 victory via a penalty in the second half.
Key Moment: Remember the fundamentals, Riou. Attempting to punch the ball to safety, the RC Lens shot-stopper created an open-net opportunity for the visitors. Maxwell ensured he paid dearly with an inch-perfect finish.
Man of the Match: Cabaye did more than find the equalizer for PSG, finishing with five tackles and one aerial duel won.
Lesson Learned: Cavani has long voiced his desires to be the club's No. 9, a role deservedly belonging to an injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic. On Friday, Cavani demonstrated why. The 27-year-old missed five opportunities in front of goal, with two serving as the definition of a "big chance." Manager Laurent Blanc is uncertain on the timetable for an Ibrahimovic return. For the sake of the club, it must be sooner rather than later.
Up Next: PSG travel to Cyprus to face APOEL in UEFA Champions League play on Oct. 17, while RC Lens travel to Toulouse to continue league play on Oct. 24.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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