GK, Etienne Green (ASSE) – The Englishman made a host of superb saves despite his team’s loss to Paris. An early stop from Mbappé with his foot, a hand ahead of Mbappé on a dangerous cross and especially a stunning low hand from Mbappé at close range stood out and that was just the first half. A similar second half palm to stop Neymar scoring was a highlight. Can’t be blamed for the goals. Outstanding overall.
FB, Fabien Centonze (Metz) – Effective at both ends as Metz stunned Nice. He had no issues from Kluivert and it was his skipping dribble and exchange of passes with de Préville that won the game for Metz as he arrived at the near post to poke the only goal.
CB, Marquinhos (PSG) – Perhaps not his most commanding defensive display as PSG beat Les Verts but he effectively won PSG the game with the front three misfiring for long periods via two superb headers. The long range headed equaliser in the first half was the goal of the game.
CB, Nicolas Pallois (Nantes) – His typically physical display in the draw with Lille nullified Jonathan David’s threat throughout while helping to keep the usually prominent Yilmaz at arms length for much of the game too. Excellent overall.
FB, Malo Gusto (Lyon) – He faded a little after half time but his emergence continued at pace here as he provided the two key moments for this OL win over Montpellier. Firstly, a missile of a cross for Slimani to hit the bar which eventually created the opener before he brilliantly cut out a cross for Mavididi that looked certain to be converted otherwise.
CM, Seko Fofana (Lens) – Perhaps not the domineering force of his best form this year in what was a hard fought midfield battle in Lens’ draw with Angers, but once again drove his team forward with his mobility, direct style and passing. He nearly won it late on too after a shimmy and powerful shot which was well saved.
CM, Azzedine Ounahi (Angers) – It now seems as if he’s cemented his place in the team after another silky, creative display in the draw at Lens, pushing forward from midfield. His deft through ball put Boufal in for the opener.
AM, Jérémy Le Douaron, (Brest) – The versatile French attacker continues to drive Brest’s resurgence and he again proved pivotal as Michel Der Zakarian’s side came from behind to win 2-1 at Bordeaux. Le Douaron, a third division player not so long ago, claimed both goals.
WF, Sofiane Boufal (Angers) – He’s starting to look like the Boufal of old that Lille fans will remember so fondly. It was his incisive run and dinked finish that created the first as Angers drew with Lens out of very little and he was a jinking, skilful threat throughout.
WF, Nicolas de Préville (Metz) – Key to Metz’s surprise win, he was a real nuisance for Nice when given the chance on the counter, winning free kicks and giving his defence a rest with some good progression of play. It was his tricky, skimming cross that set up Centonze’s winner.
ST, Lionel Messi (PSG) – For well over the first hour it was by far Lionel Messi’s worst PSG display to date as Paris laboured to the win over ten man ASSE. He sauntered around on auto pilot and his passes were often over hit while Di Maria took over as the main creator. He also managed to pull PSG’s best chance wide with Green out of position and his mis-control squandered another big opening after a mis-placed ASSE pass. However, being probably the greatest player of all time, he still managed to contribute all three assists. His free kick set up the equaliser and he found free man Di Maria for 2-1 before crossing for Marquinhos’ sealer.