Paris (AFP)
Karim Benzema still scorer, Kylian Mbappé again decisive passer.
The French stars of Real Madrid and Paris SG continued their good momentum this weekend, which saw the return with fanfare of another Blue, N'Golo Kanté, scorer with Chelsea.
- Benzema goes on -
In Spain, Karim Benzema, at the height of his 33 years, continues to impress all observers.
"KB9" still had a great start to the season with 6 goals in 5 matches, which propelled unbeaten Real Madrid to first place in the standings.
On Sunday, he served an assist to Vinicius in the 86th for the equalizer goal (1-1) against Valencia, then concluded with a header, two minutes later, a perfect cross from the Brazilian prodigy to seal the victory on the wire (88th).
"Benzema and Vinicius are unstoppable at the start of the season and they turn everything they touch into gold," said Marca, Spain's top-selling newspaper, on Monday.
"Pichichi" (top scorer) of the Spanish Championship, Benzema is ahead of his attacking sidekick by a small achievement, who has 5 goals.
The French center forward also has 4 assists.
If he remained silent with the Blues during the international window in September, the original Lyonnais is only one double from his 200th goal in La Liga.
- Mbappé decisive but ... -
His exit from injury, Wednesday in Bruges (1-1) in the Champions League, has long called into question his participation in the shock of Ligue 1 against Lyon (2-1), Sunday.
Touched on one foot, Kylian Mbappé was well established ... and he distinguished himself.
He addressed the center which led to the winning goal, signed Mauro Icardi, after additional time (90th + 3).
This is the third assist of the season in L1 for "Kyky", in addition to his four goals.
PSG striker Mauro Icardi in the arms of Kylian Mbappé, his decisive passer against Lyon at the Parc des Princes, September 19, 2021 FRANCK FIFE AFP
In the game, however, he still has to find his automatisms with Lionel Messi and Neymar, within a trio "MNM" which still struggled to find itself against OL.
Mbappé spent "a difficult evening", for the daily Le Parisien, when L'Equipe evokes the "disappointing" match of a player "not inspired in his choices".
- Call it "N'Goalo" -
Small event in the Premier League: N'Golo Kanté scored a goal!
The strike from the middle of Chelsea, who entered the derby half-time against Tottenham (3-0), on Sunday, deceived his French teammate Hugo Lloris, thanks to the deviation of Eric Dier.
A bit of success, therefore, for the former Caennais, whose last goal with the "Blues" dated back to November 23, 2019.
N'Golo Kanté scores Chelsea's second goal, during the London derby played on the pitch at Tottenham, September 19, 2021 JUSTIN TALLIS AFP
This event coincides for "N'Goalo" (a pun with "goal", "goal" in English) with his return to competition, after three weeks of absence due to a painful left ankle.
"When you have N'Golo you have something that everyone is looking for. You have everything you need in the midfield. I see him every day in training, and it's hard to believe in how good he is. He is unique, "complimented his trainer Thomas Tuchel.
- Lucas Digne, abandoned captain -
Wearing the Everton armband, Lucas Digne had a nightmare against Aston Villa, with a severe first defeat this season (3-0).
Everton captain Lucas Digne chases away Aston Villa defender Matty Cash, during his team's heavy defeat in Birmingham, September 18, 2021 Adrian DENNIS AFP / Archives
Established in his usual position of left-back, Digne struggled to reconcile his defensive role and his offensive contribution throughout the match, against the Villans in 3-5-2 and therefore a direct opponent, Matty Cash, more facing forward.
It is also the latter who escaped the marking of the French side to open the scoring (1-0, 66th) with a nice strike in the skylight, before Digne deflected a corner at the near post, deceiving his goalkeeper (2-0, 69th).
On the third goal, he could not prevent Danny Ings, in the middle of the field, to launch Leon Bailey towards the 3-0 (75th).
© 2021 AFP