Doué, Dembélé the difference as PSG edge derby
It was all eyes on Paris to finish off Matchday 17 in Ligue 1 McDonald's on Sunday evening as the Parc des Princes hosted its first derby in more than thirty years. Catch up on all the action with our match report.
PSG in cruise control
A momentous occasion for both sides, this match would be dimmed somewhat by a lengthy list of absences for Paris FC. The visitors were missing regulars Ilan Kebbal, Moses Simon, Jean-Philippe Krasso and Hamari Traor´e owing to AFCON, and while the hosts were also without Achraf Hakimi, there was a sense pre-match that there was only to be one result. As it was, their absences allowed the inclusion of a pair of former PSG players -- Kevin Trapp in goal and Jonathan Ikoné on the left.
Indeed, it was Trapp, who played for PSG for parts of three seasons, who proved decisive in the first half, stemming the tide as the hosts enjoyed one-way traffic from the off, with the enterprising Nuno Mendes looking one of his side's biggest threats. Eventually, Luis Enrique's side's strong play would tell, though, as Désiré Doué (who had earlier had shouts for a penalty denied) found the top corner after a clever through ball by Fabián Ruiz (45').
Dembélé’s goal count in 2026 is officially underway. 🔟⚽
🇫🇷 1 match
🇫🇷 1 goal pic.twitter.com/5MDre5lfha— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 4, 2026
PFC level, but Dembélé has a quick reply
Despite going behind before the break, Paris FC responded with a bravura display after the break, and veteran winger Alimami Gory won a penalty that was converted by Willem Guebbels (50'). It would take just four minutes for the hosts to be back on top, though -- Ousmane Dembélé was the beneficiary of a deflected shot that left Trapp stranded (54'). With a lead they wouldn't relinquish, PSG saw out the encounter without incident.
With the result, Paris Saint-Germain move back to within a point of Lens atop the table, while PFC slip to fifteenth after a win for Le Havre. Next up for the champions is the Trophée des Champions on Thursday against Marseille, before the two teams clash again next Monday in the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France.
