Who needs Neymar when you have Cavani?
Paris Saint-Germain came away with a comfortable win over Nice thanks to a stellar performance from Edinson Cavani who took part in all three of his team's goals.
There was a constellation of stars at the Parc des Princes as Paris Saint-Germain hosted Nice on the Friday night kick-off in the Ligue 1. The visitors, led by the likes of Mario Balotelli or Wesley Sneijder, aimed to cause damage to a side without star man Neymar.
The Brazilian, serving a one-match ban after his dismissal against Marseille, watched from the stands as Edinson Cavani powered home a header to put the Parisians in front after two minutes. Angel Di Maria, the man replacing Neymar on the flank, whipped in a free-kick for the Uruguayan striker to score his first of the night at the near post.
It was his 10th Ligue 1 goal of the season and he showed his willingness to shoulder his team's attack moments later when Julian Draxler pulled the ball back for Kylian Mbappe. The youngster looked set to fire home from a prime position, but for Cavani who arrived from behind to send the ball into the hands of Benitez.
The away side came to life with a couple of long-range efforts from Balotelli. The Italian seemed to give his side wings before a second PSG goal sent them back into a lethargic reverie which only allowed Unai Emery's team to further exert their dominance over the team from south France.
Once again, Neymar stand-in Di Maria fed the ball for Cavani to run in behind the defence and poke the ball smartly past the keeper, before tapping into an empty net. The striker was not only there to bang in the goals, but also to assist his teammates.
Nice appeared eager to push forward after the break and they still fancied their chances. However, a brave start to the half was beaten down by the home side with a third goal. Cavani headed Yuri's cross back across goal and Dante put the ball into his own net under pressure from Dani Alves.
Draxler's skills at the byline saw Mbappe waste a fantastic chance inside the area, his finish from six yards drifting inches wide. The youngster then galloped across the face of goal before rattling the side-netting, but he was not to add his name to the scoresheet.
The game slowly petered out giving Emery a chance to rest his stars. There was still time for Plea to test Areola at one end and for Benitez to deny Lucas Moura at the other, before the referee blew the full-time whistle to seal another routine win for PSG to keep them at the top of the Ligue 1 table.