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As it happenedended

Early Edinson Cavani goal eases PSG past Toulouse

Relive all the action from the Ligue 1 fixture at the Parc des Princes

Kishan Vaghela
Saturday 24 November 2018 17:19 GMT
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PSG are without Neymar and Mbappe against Toulouse
PSG are without Neymar and Mbappe against Toulouse (AFP/Getty Images)

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Champions Paris St Germain continued their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season as an early Edinson Cavani strike earned them a 1-0 win at home to Toulouse on Saturday, their 14th straight victory.

Uruguayan striker Cavani notched his ninth league goal of the campaign with a close-range finish just nine minutes into the game at the Parc Des Princes, but PSG's much-vaunted attack misfired for much of the rest of the match.

With attacking duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe both sidelined after picking up knocks on international duty last week, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel started with Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria up front alongside Cavani.

Despite starting the day two points above the drop zone, Toulouse showed no fear of a PSG side that has been averaging over three goals a game at home, and their strong defending provided a springboard for plenty of attacks of their own.

Substitute Jimmy Durmaz was the driving force behind several promising second-half counter-attacks for the visitors, but the PSG backline, marshalled by Gianluigi Buffon in goal, managed to hold firm.

Reuters

Relive all the action below.

What time does it start?

Paris Saint-Germain vs Toulouse kicks off at 4pm (BST)

Where can I watch it?

The match will not be shown live on TV or online in the UK.

Independent Sport will keep you up to date with all the goals as they fly in via our live blog.

Highlights will be shown at 1am on BT Sport 1.

Player to watch…

Edinson Cavani: The Uruguayan heaped more misery on Monaco with a hat-trick last time out. The three goals saw the 31-year-old take his tally to eight goals from as many league games so far this season, and with both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar likely to miss the game after sustaining injuries on international duty, the attacking burden will solely fall on the former Napoli man.

Cavani doesn't have his two star teammates alongside him on Saturday
Cavani doesn't have his two star teammates alongside him on Saturday (Getty)

Form guide…

Paris Saint-Germain: WDWWDW

Toulouse: DLLLDL

Odds…

Paris Saint-Germain to win: 1/9

Toulouse to win: 16/1

Draw: 8/1

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

Prediction

PSG 2-0 Toulouse: Home win. What? Did you expect me to say anything else?

60 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

That's the closest we've come to a goal. Griezmann gets the better of Arthur and uses his pace before putting a low ball across the box.

Pique however gets back in time to denying the sliding Costa with an outstretched boot himself. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:08

63 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

First change for the hosts, with Thomas Lemar being replaced by Vitolo. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:10

69 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

That slight improvement at the beginning of the half has sadly disappeared. Both sides seem to be happy to keep possession without creating anything positive.

I wonder how long it is before the managers opt to bring on the more 'individual' Angel Correa and Ousmane Dembele. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:15

72 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

There don't seem to be many intriguing duels going on, but Umtiti against Costa is a spat that has just boiled over.

The duo clash again and they both see yellow cards in the aftermath after the referee was forced to come in between the two. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:19

Some second-half possession stats for you to mull over...

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:21

77 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

That's the loudest noise we've had at the Wanda this evening. Griezmann swings a free-kick in and the Atletico players appeal for a penalty after the ball hits Arturo Vidal's arm.

Replays show that the Chilean seems to head the ball onto his arm, and VAR officials concur. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:24

GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona (Costa 77')

No I am not kidding. A corner is swung over to the far post, where Costa shrugs off the challenge of Rafinha before connecting well enough with his header to beat ter Stegen despite the German getting fingertips to the ball.

Thirteen minutes left for Barcelona to preserve their position at the top of the table.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:25

80 min: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

And that's all for Costa this evening. He is brought off for Angel Correa after scoring his first La Liga goal since late February, while Arthur is replaced by Ousmane Dembele for Barcelona. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:28

82 min: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

In times of need, Barca look to their main man for inspiration. Messi whips a free-kick from 30 yards towards goal, but Oblak holds his tame effort comfortably. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:30

  ↵Watch how Costa sent the Wanda into delirium.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 21:31

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