Dembele double helps take PSG 13 points clear

michael emons - bbc sport journalist

Fri, 7 Feb 2025, 6:23 pm·1-min read

Luis Enrique, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes with shirts displaying dates to match their contract extension lengths — Before the match, Paris St-Germain announced contract extensions for coach Luis Enrique (until 2027), right-back Achraf Hakimi, midfielder Vitinha and left-back Nuno Mendes (all until 2029) [Getty Images]

Ousmane Dembele's second-half double and a first Paris St-Germain goal for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped PSG overpower Monaco and move 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

PSG announced contract extensions for coach Luis Enrique, full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, and midfielder Vitinha before securing their 16th win in 21 games to reach 53 points, with second-placed Marseille on 40, although they have a game in hand.

Vitinha opened the scoring after six minutes through a low free-kick but Denis Zakaria equalised for third-placed Monaco by scoring from a tight angle following Soungoutou Magassa's fine through ball.

Kvaratskhelia was a key part of the Napoli side that won Serie A in 2022-23 and joined PSG in January in a deal worth 70m euros (£59m), with him signing a four-and-a-half-year contract.

He got his first goal for his new club in the 54th minute, cutting inside a defender before finishing well.

Ligue 1 leading scorer Dembele extended the advantage three minutes later after a one-two with Desire Doue, and the 27-year-old winger sealed the victory in stoppage time with his 16th league goal this season.

It is a vital week for PSG as they play at fellow Ligue 1 side Brest in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Tuesday, while Monaco entertain Benfica on Wednesday.