Dembélé Double Leads PSG to 2-1 Win Over Saint-Étienne

Relive PSG's 2-1 win over Saint-Étienne, as Ousmane Dembélé's double extends the champions' winning streak to six games.

Paris Saint-Germain extended their winning streak to six games in all competitions with a 2-1 victory over AS Saint-Étienne in Ligue 1 action at Parc des Princes. The win marked a successful return to league play for PSG, who had previously won the Trophée des Champions in Qatar last week. The championship trophy was displayed before kickoff, but the visitors were determined to spoil the celebrations.

AS Saint-Étienne came out aggressively, with Zuriko Davitashvili testing PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's reflexes with a shot aimed at the near post in the first minute. Davitashvili had another chance deflected wide soon after, while Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos were denied by Saint-Étienne goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur at the other end. The match was off to a lively start, with both teams creating scoring opportunities.

The opening goal finally arrived in the 13th minute, courtesy of Ousmane Dembélé. The PSG winger cut in from the right, beating several defenders along the way, and fired a shot past Larsonneur at the near post. The goal was Dembélé's seventh of the league season, and it gave PSG a well-deserved lead after their dominant start to the match.

Ousmane Dembélé continued to torment AS Saint-Étienne, scoring his second goal of the match just 10 minutes after his first. The opportunity arose when Achraf Hakimi's cross struck the hand of Léo Pétrot, resulting in a penalty kick. Dembélé calmly sent Gautier Larsonneur the wrong way, converting the penalty to make it 2-0 and score his eighth goal of the league season.

The remainder of the first half saw PSG dominate, but they were unable to add to their lead. Bradley Barcola, in particular, was guilty of wasting opportunities, being denied twice more by Larsonneur and also having a goal ruled out by VAR for a foul on Benjamin Bouchouari. Barcola's frustrating evening continued after the break, as he failed to beat Larsonneur from close range. Dembélé and Barcola both sent strikes over the bar, while Gonçalo Ramos saw his volleyed effort saved by Larsonneur.

Despite their dominance, PSG were punished for not killing the game off when Zuriko Davitashvili scored a low free-kick from 25 yards. The powerful shot proved too much for Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Saint-Étienne reduced the deficit to 2-1. Dembélé had opportunities to complete his hat-trick but was unable to capitalize. Nevertheless, PSG did enough to hold on and secure the three points, marking a successful start to their Ligue 1 campaign in the new year.

The win saw PSG maintain their position as league leaders, while AS Saint-Étienne remain 16th in the table. Saint-Étienne's away form continues to be a concern, with the team having collected only one point on the road so far this season.