Neymar shines on return

PARIS: Neymar starred on his return to the Paris Saint Germain line-up after two games out with two goals and two assists in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat of Rennes in Ligue 1.

The world’s most expensive player missed last weekend’s win over Lille due to suspension and sat out Wednesday’s French League Cup clash at Strasbourg after travelling back to Brazil to deal with a family matter.

But Neymar made an immediate impact in Rennes by scoring the opening goal after just four minutes before teeing up Kylian Mbappe to add a second for PSG just past the quarterhour.

Firmin Mubele halved the deficit after the break, but Rennes were reduced to 10 men when Benjamin Andre picked up a second booking and Edinson Cavani netted PSG’s third on 75 minutes.

Neymar swiftly made it four as he turned home his second goal of the afternoon, while Wahbi Khazri blazed over a late penalty for Rennes.

“When you see a player like Neymar, I think that all the fans who were here today, or watching on TV, they might support PSG, but if they like football they are happy to see a player like Neymar,” said PSG coach Unai Emery.

Lille crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Dijon in the club’s first game since officially parting ways with Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, while promoted Strasbourg climbed into the top half after a 2-1 win over Toulouse extended their unbeaten run to six matches.

Lyon can reclaim second place from Monaco when they hosted fourth-place Marseille late yesterday, while a resurgent Nice will hunt a fourth straight win at home to struggling Bordeaux. AFP