Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain. French Ligue 1.
Stade Louis IIAttendance12,533.
Sunday 11 November 2018 23:50, UK
Thierry Henry’s Monaco suffered an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to PSG as they remained without a win under his management.
Defensively, Monaco were a shambles as the Ligue 1 champions ripped through their backline at will, scoring four and having a further two goals ruled out on a busy evening for VAR.
Edinson Cavani helped himself to a hat-trick (4), (11), (52) while Neymar added a fourth from the penalty spot (63) after Kylian Mbappe was fouled.
Since taking over from Leonardo Jardim, Henry has overseen no wins in six games in charge, including back-to-back 4-0 home defeats after they were thrashed by Club Brugge in the Champions League in midweek.
Henry's side remain without a win since the opening day and sit 19th in the league.
As the drizzle fell in the principality, Monaco made an enterprising start only to fall behind following PSG's first sight at goal.
Their inability to clear their lines allowed Cavani to tap in at the back post from Neymar's cross-cum-shot after five minutes.
Cavani was initially flagged for offside but VAR overturned the decision while technology again came to the Uruguayan's aid as the visitors doubled their advantage seven minutes later.
Shortly after Radamel Falcao had dithered over a gilt-edged chance to level, the linesman once more had his flag up when Kylian Mbappe slid across for Cavani to slot into an empty net.
However, replays showed that Cavani had been alongside play, forcing the decision to be reversed for a second time.
Monaco's evening worsened when Nacer Chadli limped off midway through the first half to be replaced by Jordi Mboula, who spurned a golden opportunity to score moments later when he miscued over the bar with the goal gaping.
Diego Benaglio saved brilliantly from Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku and Moussa Diaby as the capital club started to turn the screw towards the end of the half.
Julian Draxler looked to have further increased PSG's lead on the stroke of half-time but even though the flag stayed down this time, replays showed the German was offside.
It was a rare moment of luck for Monaco, who were forced into their second change of the night shortly after the resumption when substitute Mboula had to be taken off because of injury.
Henry looked on in disbelief on the touchline and his mood would have darkened in the 53rd minute as Cavani completed his hat-trick with another simple finish from Mbappe's low ball across the six-yard area.
Ten minutes later, it was 4-0 when Neymar sent Benaglio the wrong way from the penalty spot after Mbappe had been carelessly fouled by Djibril Sidibe in the area.
Mbappe rounded Benaglio and rolled into the empty net but VAR showed the French forward had been offside.
It hardly mattered, though, as PSG clinched a one-sided win.
Cavani bagged a hat-trick so perhaps can count himself pretty unfortunate not to land the outstanding achievement award but Neymar was at his silky smooth best without ever having to hit top gear.
Once the early goals went in, the Brazilian was in party mode, showing off some extravagant dribbling skills and generally causing panic whenever he ventured into the final third. He more than deserved his goal.
