Cavani scores on return as PSG cruise past Marseille

Ligue 1, Parc des Princes – Paris Saint-Germain 2 (Maxwell 50', Cavani 79') Olympique Marseille 0

The game got off to an explosive start as both sides started on the front foot and produced an end-to-end spectacle. Ezequiel Lavezzi had a huge chance early on as he was sent past a static Marseille backline, but after rounding Steve Mandanda, the Argentine somehow missed an open goal, managing to shoot far enough wide of the post but not close enough for the lurking Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make amends.

Marseille were looking shaky in defence, and it was exploited in sensational style as Lucas Moura almost scored one of the goals of the season. The Brazilian picked up the ball deep in his own half before charging through the centre of the pitch at breakneck speed, beating four men before coolly dinking the ball over the advancing Mandanda - only for Rod Fanni to cover back and clear off the line.

Marseille went close themselves, with Mathieu Valbuena forcing Sirigu into a fine save with a curling effort to the far corner, but PSG remained on top and wasted another chance late in the opening period. Lavezzi did well to get down the right once again and provided Ibrahimovic with a fine cross, but the Swede nodded wide with a free header.

PSG didn't take long after half-time to put themselves ahead, however - Ibrahimovic found Maxwell in the Marseille area and the former Barcelona man made no mistake, sidefooting confidently past Mandanda to put his side in the lead.

PSG opted to sit deeper after their goal, and Marseille simply couldn't find any meaningful way of creating a chance against them. The hosts then duly spurned several opportunities from counter-attacks - Lucas Moura twice shot wide after getting down the right channel, and Matuidi also ballooned an effort over the bar after a fine pass from Verratti.

Cavani was then introduced after a month-long absence, and the Uruguayan didn't take long to make his presence known. Gregory van der Wiel did well to get down the right and send in a fine cross which Cavani fired home with a bullet header, ending any hopes of a comeback for the visitors.

That was the final nail in the coffin for Marseille, who after a scrappy opening period failed to really threaten Sirigu's goal for most of the evening.

Valbuena had another opportunity to score a consolation late on, but once again Sirigu was there to keep him out and ensure another clean sheet and another clean points for Paris Saint-Germain.

Laurent Blanc's men will now be clear favourites to take the Ligue 1 title, while Marseille's Champions League push has suffered a setback.