Ligue 1 match report Metz v Paris Saint-Germain

Goals from Angel di Maria and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting guided Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-0 win over Metz at the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Friday evening.   The Champions targeted top spot after last week's 4-0 win over Toulouse, but were without star figures Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edison Cavani.   That said; the floodgates opened as early as the 11th minute after Angel Di Maria propped up from the penalty spot to tuck home following a foul on Juan Bernat inside the area.   Idrissa Gueye went close to adding a second six minutes later, but the Senegalese headed over the top from a ball into the box.   The game was temporarily halted after a homophobic banner amongst the set of supporters in the stands had to be removed, which has now occurred for a second Ligue 1 game in three days.   Play got back underway with PSG continuing to dominate after 42 minutes as Choupo-Moting nodded head home a cross from Marco Verratti to double the visitors' lead.    PSG's powering effect remained at the restart, as Metz struggled to launch any fruitful openings in the last third. Their first substitution after 57 minutes saw Victorien Angban coming for Mamadou Fofana in an attempt to claw their way back into the contest.   Leandro Paredes soon rolled into action for the visitors with teen protégé Adil Aouchiche making way for the Argentine, before Metz carved out an opening two minutes later with Fofana sent through, but the attacker failed to halve the tally.   Di Maria on the other hand came close to his second after 67 minutes, however the Argentine was met with a strong defence who pulled clear.   PSG were in a spot of bother in the final minutes as Marvin Gapka forced Marcin Bulka to a finger-tip save from a smart effort, but the holders survived the pressure in the end to leapfrog Stade Rennes at the top of the league standings.