PSG routs bitter rival Marseille 4-0 but sees Mbappé limp off. Lens finally wins

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This article was published 24/09/2023 (1108 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PARIS (AP) — Forwards Randal Kolo Muani and Gonçalo Ramos scored their first goals for Paris Saint-Germain in a 4-0 home rout of Marseille in the French league on Sunday but the victory was marred by an injury scare for star striker Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé limped off in the 32nd minute after taking a blow to the left ankle earlier in the game and trying to play on. He was able to walk off the field at Parc des Princes and PSG coach Luis Enrique indicated Mbappé’s injury was not serious.

“He was in a bit of pain and it was difficult for him to play,” he told broadcaster Amazon. “It was wiser to take him off, but it’s just a blow.”

Mbappé is the league’s top scorer with seven goals so far.

Kolo Muani became the third-most expensive signing in PSG’s history when he joined in the final hours of the transfer window from German club Eintracht Frankfurt for 95 million euros ($103 million). Ramos is on a season-long loan from Benfica with an option to buy next June.

The win moved defending champion PSG up to third place with 11 points from six games, ahead of Monaco on goal difference. PSG is one point behind second-place Nice and two adrift of surprise leader Brest after six games. Marseille dropped to seventh after its first league defeat.

Marseille has been in crisis after yet another managerial upheaval rocked the club this week, with Spanish coach Marcelino stepping down. The team still managed to salvage a 3-3 draw away to Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday.

Right back Achraf Hakimi put PSG ahead in the eighth minute with a powerful free kick from the right side of the penalty area. Portugal forward Vitinha hit the crossbar with a header for Marseille midway through the first half.

After that chance, PSG dominated.

Kolo Muani struck in the 37th when Hakimi’s shot came back off the post and was deflected somewhat fortuitously into his path by Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez.

Ramos, who came on for Mbappé, made it 3-0 two minutes into the second half when he headed in Ousmane Dembélé’s cross. His second came in the 89th from Kolo Muani’s assist.

Earlier Sunday, Lens rallied to beat Toulouse 2-1 at home for its first win of the season and moved off the bottom.

The northern side finished second and only one point behind Paris Saint-Germain in a remarkable campaign last season, but sold its two best players and struggled to adapt.

After midfielder César Gelabert put Toulouse in front in the 33rd minute, forward Wesley Saïd equalized with a neat half-volley in first-half stoppage time. Striker Morgan Guilavogui grabbed the winner in the 84th as Lens moved up to 16th spot through six rounds of games.

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Eighth-place Rennes remains unbeaten but was held for the fifth time this season in a 0-0 draw at Montpellier.

In other matches, midfielder Habib Diarra’s late goal gave Strasbourg a 1-0 win at Metz, and Le Havre scored twice inside the first seven minutes in a 2-1 win against Clermont, which dropped to last place.

Brest beat lowly Lyon 1-0 on Saturday, and Nice won 1-0 at Monaco on Friday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer