Neymar dazzles on PSG debut with goal and assist
Declaring he was ‘more alive than ever’, Neymar did not disappoint on his debut for Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.
The world’s most expensive player provided a pulsating evening’s entertainment at the Stade du Roudourou with one goal and an assist as PSG overcame strong resistance from Guingamp to win 3-0 in the French league.
Neymar was named Man of the Match, and it was deserved.
“I’m very happy with the trophy, but the most important (thing) was to win,” Neymar said through a translator. “I knew it would be difficult to leave Barca, but I’m very happy to be here. People believe that leaving Barca is like to die. But I’m more alive than ever. I’m very happy, and the football is the same.”
Neymar, who signed from Barcelona last week, missed the start of the season at the Parc des Princes against Amiens due to paperwork problems. Hired for a world-record €222 million, he started on the left wing of PSG’s attack in the small Brittany town.
Neymar looked intensely focused from the start, easily switching from one wing to the other, and often taking a playmaker role.
Pre-match festivities in the small Brittany town included some fireworks, but Neymar was jeered by a handful of fans as he came on the pitch to warm up with his teammates, pointing a finger toward the sky. By the end, many local fans gave him a standing ovation.
“I knew he was a top player,” Neymar said about Cavani. “Now I’m playing with him. He is a great player, and when you have such great players in a team, it’s easy.”
Neymar completed 103 passes, one of which set up Cavani in the 62nd minute. Cavani then turned provider to set up Neymar with a cut-back pass that the Brazil captain converted from close range with a poke in the 82nd minute.
“I was more impressed by Cavani, who scored again,” said Guingamp veteran striker Jimmy Briand. “Neymar, there is no need to introduce him.”
the pressure was on the Belgian striker and he didn’t disappoint. Lukaku scored the opening two goals as Man United started their season with 4-0 win over West Ham.
ideal pre-season but he was right on the mark when it mattered most. The French forward, bought from Lyon for a club record transfer fee of £52m, scored within two
Chelsea’s opener against Burnley, Antonio Conte had said that the Spaniard won’t feature as he still hadn’t come to grips with the Blues’ style.
a perfect start to his Everton return as his 199th EPL goal earned them a 1-0 win over Stoke. Rooney headed home moments before the interval off a cross from Dominic
Calvert-Lewin.
Juergen Klopp has had a frustrating time in the transfer market but he will be happy that one of his new signing made an instant impact. scoring in the 33rd minute when he found the inside of the post. He doubled his tally seven minutes after half-time with a header.
minutes to give Arsenal a positive start against Leicester.
was impressed with the impact he had and the way he linked with teammates. as the game progressed.
came on as a substitute to score a consolation when he scored in the 69th minute. It will also boost his confidence for future matches.
decision to gamble on the veteran forward, who had been deemed surplus to Man United’s requirements, paid rich dividends and he will hope that Rooney won’t look back. which was converted by Roberto Firmino. Two minutes later, the Egyptian scored his first Reds’ goal, bundling in Firmino’s chip.