Paris Saint-Germain demolished Le Havre 5-1 away on Friday night, powered by a stunning Achraf Hakimi hat-trick. The comprehensive victory extends the capital club's lead at the Ligue 1 summit to four points. This win stays at the top of the table with 17 points from eight games, holding a one-point lead over Rennes. Their record stands at five wins, two draws, and one loss.
Manager Luis Enrique rotated his squad, leaving Desire Doué, Vitinha and João Neves on the bench with Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia injured. Despite the changes, Paris Saint-Germain controlled 71% of possession. Against the run of play, Le Havre took a shock lead through Josh Maja in the 18th minute. The Parisian response was swift, with Mika Godts levelling eight minutes later from a Hakimi assist.
The match-winner
Just two minutes after the equaliser, Hakimi picked up the ball in his own half, drove past the defence and fired a low shot to put Paris Saint-Germain ahead. The Moroccan full-back then curled in a direct free-kick in the 55th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 69th, threading a shot through a crowded box. "We rose to the occasion," Hakimi said afterwards.
Sandwiched between Hakimi's goals, Senny Mayulu made it 4-1 in the 62nd minute after the Le Havre goalkeeper was caught off his line. Paris Saint-Germain, now on 17 points from nine games, have now won three league matches in a row. This 5-1 win at Le Havre on Friday 30 October follows recent victories over Lyon (2-0) and Strasbourg (1-3), making it three wins and two losses in their last five outings. The season's top scorer, Ferran Torres with four goals, did not find the net on this occasion.
The convincing attacking display comes ahead of a key Champions League trip to face Villarreal on Tuesday. The away fixture is scheduled for Tuesday 3 November. The team has scored sixteen goals this season while conceding nine, giving them a goal difference of plus seven.
Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on Tuesday that Luis Enrique has become the most successful manager in its history. The Spanish coach secured his 127th win with the club in Friday's 5-1 victory at Le Havre, surpassing Laurent Blanc's record. "It represents the luck I have to have these kinds of players," the 56-year-old manager said. Paris Saint-Germain, top with 20 points, is on a run of three consecutive league wins.
Le Havre announced the sacking of its manager Didier Digard on Tuesday, November 1, the club confirmed. The 40-year-old former midfielder is the first Ligue 1 manager to be dismissed this season. The decision follows the 1-5 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, who lead the league with 20 points, last Friday. The Normandy club sits bottom of the standings with just two points after nine matchdays.
