Saint-Etienne (AFP)

Paris SG shone with Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria titular for the first set in Ligue 1: his "Fantastic Four" carried him on Sunday towards an easy success in Saint-Etienne (4-0), on the 18th day of L1.

For once, we must speak of fireworks in the literal sense: Mbappé scored his second goal (90th) while supporters of the Kop Nord, behind Stéphane Ruffier's cage, put on a pyrotechnic show to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

An unusual, almost magical image, which will remain in the story book of the PSG season, always as surprising: it is a usual replacement who launched the celebration of the honorary crown of autumn champion, won the day before.

Leandro Paredes, whose recruitment for EUR 47 million last winter has questioned him, opened the scoring by scoring his first club goal (10th). The middle then caused the expulsion of Jean-Eudes Aholou (25th), author of an unconscious tackle at the knee of the Argentinian.

Enough to boost sales of the N.8 flocked jersey in the capital? Almost ... if it weren't for the "Fantastic Four" to capture all the light.

Free from injuries or suspensions, Mbappé, Icardi, Neymar and Di Maria chained the promises for their first joint tenure, after half an hour against Real Madrid in the Champions League (2-2), in late November, which had not convinced.

- Neymar misses a penalty -

In 4-4-2, they showed the extent of their potential, contributing to the clear dominance of PSG against the defense of five of the Greens - a low block which, generally, poses problems for Parisians.

Each on a wing, Neymar and Di Maria left a constant threat hovering thanks to their centers and deep passes in the direction of Icardi or Mbappé, eager for spaces in the back of Stéphanois.

The connection between the Brazilian superstar and the French prodigy was the most obvious, leading to the 2-0 (43rd): full axis service from N. 10 for the world champion, who scored during his five last matches. The same scenario resulted in 4-0.

The two players had many opportunities to improve their statistics (5th, 30th, 37th, 38th, 57th), like Di Maria who hit the post (55th). "Ney" even missed his first penalty, on his 11th attempt (62nd), causing the roomers' applause from the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.

Icardi was the least visible in construction, but it takes very little to shine. In his pure surface fox style, he scored on his first opportunity (72nd), at the reception of a center by Layvin Kurzawa.

By winning, the Paris SG extended a series of invincibility in the Chaudron in the eleven year long Championship. With these "Fantastic Four" at this level, this is not going to stop.

© 2019 AFP