Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Angers SCO: Late Kylian Mbappe penalty sees PSG claim hard-fought win

PSG extended their winning streak over Angers to thirteen games with a hard-fought 2-1 win in the French capital, as Ligue 1 returned after the international break.

Although the home side were without stars such as Lionel Messi, Neymar, Keylor Navas and more either due to injury or international commitments - as South American World Cup qualifiers took place the night before - they still went into the match as strong favourites against a side who have been perennial mid-table dwellers since their promotion to the top flight in 2015.

However, Angers showed why they have been this season's surprise package in Ligue 1, with the pace and trickery of Sofiane Boufal, Mohamed-Ali Cho and Angelo Fulgini causing constant problems for the PSG defence.

The latter even put the visitors in front just over half an hour into the game. Fulgini timed his run to perfection to tap home Boufal's low but pacey cross from the right flank.

In the second half, PSG's lack of directness and attacking intent continued despite maintaining their hefty chunk of possession, yet they unconvincingly dragged themselves over the line, largely thanks to the individual brilliance of Kylian Mbappe.

The wantaway star assisted the 69th-minute equaliser with a lovely dink for Danilo Pereira to head past Paul Bernardoni and followed that with a clutch penalty minutes before the full-time whistle to give his side the lead.

PSG were fortunate that the penalty was even awarded given that the VAR officials had to instruct the referee to review Pierrick Capelle's handball at his monitor - a move that caused Bastien Dechepy to overturn his initial decision.

The win means PSG stay top of Ligue 1 ahead of Tuesday's Champions League fixture at home to RB Leipzig, while Angers will aim to get back to winning ways against Saint-Etienne next Friday.

Mbappe's desire to leave PSG for Real Madrid is such common knowledge.

Yet the team's dependence on the 22 year-old World Cup winner is so high that it's created a weird kind of love-hate relationship triangle between him, the club and the fans.

As recently as yesterday, PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino reasserted that he believes Mbappe could still change his mind, which feels mightily optimistic.

Every time he bails out a lacklustre team performance, Leonardo and Pochettino might feel that it upholds the star status and adoration from fans he surely wants to maintain, but it's possible that it instead makes him feel too good for the club and reaffirms his will to leave. It's hard to see how Leonardo and Pochettino aren't fighting a losing battle here.

A special mention goes out to Sofiane Boufal, who was nailed on to be my man of the match when he was substituted off in the 77th minute. Mbappe had other ideas though. After struggling with both creating chances and being clinical for most of the game, he finally came to life late on in what felt like his gazillionth match-winning performance to spare PSG's blushes and deal Angers a harsh knockout blow.

PSG: Donnarumma 6, Dagba 5, Diallo 5, Kehrer 6, Kimpembe 7, Herrera 7, Pereira 7, Verratti 7, Rafinha 7, Icardi 5, Mbappe 8...Subs: Bernat 6, Wijnaldum 7, Hakimi 6, Draxler 6, Ebimbe N/A

Angers: Bernardoni 6, Thomas 6, Traore 6, Manceau 6, Capelle 5, Cabot 7, Mangani 6, Mendy 6, Fulgini 8, Boufal 8, Cho 6...Subs: Brahimi 6, Ounahi 6, Bahoken 6

26' - CLOSE! Boufal skilfully skips into the box, beating multiple players and going close with a low effort driven across goal that goes the wrong side of the post.

30' - CHANCE! That Verratti-Mbappe connection almost causes the breakthrough, and not for the first time this evening! Bernardoni does well again, this time rushing off his line to narrow the angle for Mbappe and deny him an opening goal.

36' - GOAL!!! Angers catch the Parisian defence sleeping! Cabot picking Verratti's pocket and Mendy's subsequent pass to Cho on the right wing lead to Fulgini tapping home Boufal's low but pacy cross to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

44' - GOAL DISALLOWED!! Herrera thought he had the equaliser but it's rightfully chalked off for offside! His looping header got the better of Bernardoni, but it won't matter.

68' - SAVED!! Mbappe cuts inside and lashes a shot towards the far bottom corner. Bernardoni sees it late but manages to get low and push it away!

69' - GOAL!!! Mbappe dinks the ball into the box for Pereira to connect with an unstoppable header to equalise! That move started with Mbappe's corner too.

83' - PENALTY APPEAL!! Mbappe gets to the byline and cuts the ball back for a Icardi, who appears to head it onto the hand of Capelle. The referee initially ignores the appeals for a penalty, but he's encouraged to check his monitor by the VAR officials...

85' - IT'S GIVEN! Cappelle receives a yellow for handball and Mbappe will have the chance to give PSG a 2-1 lead with a penalty!

87' - GOAL!!! Is that the winner? Mbappe demonstrates nerves of steel to put PSG ahead from the penalty spot!