Edinson Cavani became Paris Saint-Germain’s joint all-time leading scorer as the Ligue 1 leaders moved 11 points clear after thrashing Dijon at the Parc des Princes.
Cavani’s 156th PSG goal in all competitions took him level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he will be disappointed he didn’t break the record outright, such was the home side’s dominance.
Neymar also reached a couple of landmarks. The Brazil captain scored his first PSG hat-trick as part of a four-goal haul — with strikes after 42, 47 and 73 minutes, plus a late penalty. But it was his role in the second of two Angel Di Maria goals which saw him become the first player in any of Europe’s top five leagues to provide 10 assists this season.
Di Maria, who had earlier given PSG a fourth-minute lead, looked a little sheepish after latching onto a Neymar chip and poking home from very close range. But replays later confirmed that he had been right to intervene as the former Barcelona star’s lob would have bounced just wide had it been left.
After scoring the first two, Di Maria made the third as his right-footed cross was planted firmly into the net by Cavani, who celebrated like a man who has had his eye on Ibrahimovic’s record for some time.
It was 4-0 before half-time thanks to a well-placed Neymar free-kick, which left goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet rooted to the spot.
PSG’s dominance continued after the break and Neymar joined Di Maria on two goals for the night as PSG punished an error by Cedric Yambere to reach the five-goal mark in a game for the ninth time this season.
Di Maria appeared a little frustrated to be denied a hat-trick when he was replaced by substitute Kylian Mbappe midway through the second half.
Neymar was not to be denied though and he completed his trio of goals with a fine solo effort, before registering his 11th Ligue 1 assist of the season to allow Mbappe a piece of the pie.
Cavani won a late penalty when he was fouled by Yambere but, despite the home fans booing Neymar and urging him to stand aside to give his fellow South American the chance to break Ibrahimovic’s record, the Brazilian pulled rank and converted expertly.
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