Monaco 3 PSG 1: Hosts cruise past the Ligue 1 champions and climb at the summit of the table in terrific style

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN failed to open up a gap at the top of the Ligue 1 table as they suffered their first defeat (3-1) of the season at Monaco.

Joao Moutinho put the Monegasques in the lead and Fabinho doubled before half-time, while Edinson Cavani headed his first goal of the season and Serge Aurier killed with an own goal.

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The French champions already had the chance to open up a small gap ahead of expected title rivals Lyon and Monaco.

And tonight was the early occasion to do so this season, as Lyon surprised this weekend with a 4-2 defeat at newly promoted Dijon.

Monaco’s 2-2 opening-day draw at home to Guingamp means that both, with Lyon, have already dropped points this campaign.

Moutinho opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a first-touch low strike from the fringe of the penalty box. Djibril Sidibe served the Portuguese with great vision of play from the right.

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Cavani could have levelled the scoreline when he caught up with a Aurier through-ball but completely missed his tap-in from range.

Monaco doubled from the penalty spot on stoppage time of the first half as defender David Luiz was yellow carded when he pulled down a Monaco player in the box.

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Arsenal target Fabinho converted to make it 2-0 at the interval by scoring his 12th consecutive penalty.

Paris SG had a good chance to reduce their deficit in the 56th minute when Lucas broke free on the right and passed to Cavani who, again, completely missed to divert the ball from close range.

Left-back Layvin Kurzawa followed behind the Uruguayan front-man but could not find the net neither.

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The champions finally found ground in south of France when they responded with a goal just after the hour mark, Cavani clinically heading his first of the season.

Paris SG saw a chance to come levelled in the 76th minutes when Angel Di Maria crossed to unmarked Cavani, but goalkeeper Danijel Subasic dived forward to make a superb interception.

All collapsed in the principality when defender Aurier deflected a Sidibe strike into his own net and killed any hopes for Paris to grab a single point.

Monaco place themselves at the current seven-point summit of the Ligue 1 with Guingamp and Nice, while Paris SG stall fifth with six points.

The Ligue 1 is finding its excitement again this season. It seems.