PLAYER RATINGS | Montpellier 2-6 PSG: Kylian Mbappé records third hattrick of the season to demolish La Paillade

It was always going to be a difficult night for Montpellier HSC as they hosted Paris Saint-Germain. The home side are in a rare relegation battle and would come into the match without their starting goalkeeper as Benjamin Lecomte was injured only hours before the game. 

In his place, Dimitry Bertaud made his first start of the season and managed to touch the ball just once before Vitinha opened the scoring. It was a clever solo goal as Montpellier backed off the midfielder, allowing him to advance to the edge of the box and sweep a shot through the crowded area into the goal. The second soon followed as Kylian Mbappé was back in the lineup and back on the scoresheet. The winger was the finish to a quick counterattack, combining well with Randal Kolo Muani to double the deficit. 

Despite the scoreline, Montpellier had looked threatening throughout the match and were left aggrieved when the referee waved away their protests for a penalty. They eventually found their reward for some promising attacks when Arnaud Nordin capitalised on an error from Danilo Pereira to head the ball home from point-blank range. 

However, the conversation would be all about the referee. Another mistake from Danilo saw Coulibaly and Donnarumma contest a high ball. The keeper managed to clear the ball but was judged to have taken the Montpellier man out afterwards. It looked a harsh decision and led to bizarre scenes after it was checked by VAR. For the next 3 minutes, the referee patiently listened to the pleas of Mbappé and Donnarumma. Their cries fell on deaf ears, and Téji Tedy Savaniers stepped up to the spot to level the scores almost on the stroke of the halftime whistle. 

HT | Montpellier 2-2 PSG: The conversation will be about the referee