Neymar Jr was the best player on the pitch as Ligue 1 leaders, Paris Saint-Germain ran Dijon ragged at the Parcs des Princes. The Brazilian struck four times, assisting a further two in an astonishing 8-0 demolition of the 11th placed side.
It was a historic performance from Unai Emery’s men, as they made Ligue 1 history for the highest recorded winning goal difference at home.
A dominant and breathtaking first half display saw the home side take a massive 4-0 lead, courtesy of an Angel Di Maria double, and a goal each from Edinson Cavani and Neymar.
Unbeaten in their last eight games prior to the game, that record never looked close to been threatened when Di Maria gave them a 1-0 lead as early as the 4th minute.
The Argentine doubled their advantage 11 minutes later, taking advantage of a sloppy play by Dijon’s Cedric Varrault, before Cavani added a third in the 21st minute via a lovely header to equal Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the club’s record goalscorer on 156goals.
Just before the break, Neymar’s excellently taken free kick added a fourth for the hosts, who were looking untouchable, going into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead.
Dijon came out after the break looking a different side, but whatever plans they had of putting up a fight were soon forgotten as PSG scored a fifth.
Neymar with his second of the evening, latching onto a mistake by Cedric Yambere following a cross from Yuri Berchiche, to make it 5-0 in the 57th minute.
PSG weren’t done, they kept piling on the pressure, looking for their sixth of the night, and it came through a mazy run by Neymar, who evaded four Dijon players like they weren’t there to make it 6-0, and complete his hattrick.
It was Neymar’s first hattrick for PSG since he became the world most expensive player, but there was more to come from the Brazilian.
Six became seven, minutes later as Kylian Mbappe joined in on the goals fest, with Neymar involved this time, turning provider, as he puts the former Monaco youngster through on goal, and he wastes no time in slotting past Baptiste Reynet from close range.
Just when the visitors thought that would be all, the Paris giants were awarded a penalty, after Cavani was fouled in the box by Yambere.
Neymar came forward to expertly convert from the spot for his fourth goal, and PSG’s eighth.
A thoroughly deserved victory for the home side, their eighth win in a row, and moves them 11 points ahead of second placed Lyon, who host the league leaders next when both sides meet on Sunday.
