Dembele shines as PSG climb top of Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward #10 Ousmane Dembele fights for the ball with Montpellier’s French defender #17 Theo Sainte-Luce during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Montpellier Herault SC at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on November 3, 2023. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Paris Saint-Germain beat Montpellier 3-0 to climb provisionally top of France’s Ligue 1 on Friday, with Ousmane Dembele providing much of the ammunition.

Luis Enrique’s new-look PSG seem to be clicking into gear with Lee Kang-in, Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha bagging the goals in a dominant win.

Reigning champions PSG moved two points clear of Nice at the top.

“What I see is positive, the objective is to continue to be effective in each match and improve,” said coach Luis Enrique.

“I undoubtedly saw at the Parc des Princes this evening one of the most beautiful PSG performances (since the start of the season).”

Lee’s left-foot shot into the top corner on 10 minutes opened the tally and sparked joy after Kylian Mbappe set him up with a clever dummy.

“He is very likeable for any supporter,” Luis Enrique said of South Korean international Lee.

“He is young, makes an effort in attack and defence, makes very good decisions and is hungry to play.”

Mbappe was largely kept quiet by some robust defending ahead of PSG’s visit to AC Milan in the Champions League in midweek.

Just before the hour mark, Zaire-Emery made it 2-0 after a back-heel from Dembele left the 17-year-old in space on the edge of the six-yard box for a nerveless finish.

Substitute Vitinha scored with almost his first touch, slamming home from the edge of the area as goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte dived the right way marginally too late.

Dembele himself came