PARIS: After again falling short in the Champions League, Paris St Germain got back into the routine of dominating Ligue 1 by crushing basement club Metz 5-0 at home on Saturday and stretching their lead at the top of the standings back to 14 points.

But beating a feeble Metz side will do precious little to take the pressure off beleaguered coach Unai Emery, who is expected to leave at the end of the season after PSG went out in the last 16 of the Champions League for the second straight season.

PSG lost at home to Real Madrid 2-1 on Tuesday for a 5-2 aggregate defeat, and Emery was jeered by sections of the Parc des Princes crowd on Saturday.

“It allows us to turn the page on Tuesday,” Emery said somewhat hopefully. “We needed to win after going out. We’re continuing on our path.”

Belgium defender Thomas Meunier struck the first goal in the fifth minute, while 20-year-old midfielder Christopher Nkunku scored twice in quick succession to make it three goals in two league starts this season.

France forward Kylian Mbappe hit PSG’s fourth in first half stoppage time, while captain Thiago Silva completed the rout with a towering header from a corner in the 82nd minute.

Elsewhere, at least a hundred angry Lille supporters invaded the pitch at their Stade Pierre-Mauroy after their struggling side drew 1-1 at home to Montpellier.

Centre-forward Emiliano Sala scored with a thumping header with four minutes left as Nantes beat struggling Troyes 1-0 at home.

The win moved coach Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes up to fifth place, one point above Rennes, which also needed an 86th-minute goal from striker Ismaila Sarr to draw 1-1 with St Etienne.

Also, Bordeaux drew with Angers 0-0 and mid-table Dijon was held at home by Amiens to 1-1.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2018