PSG tightens stranglehold on Ligue 1 with one-sided victory over Monaco

If there were any doubts that Paris Saint-Germain is the class of Ligue 1, all skepticism was put to rest following the capital club's 3-0 dismantling of Monaco at the Stade Louis II.

Edinson Cavani scored twice, substitute Ezequiel Lavezzi chipped in a third, and summer signing Angel Di Maria made his much-anticipated debut for the club, coming off the bench in the 66th minute for Lucas Moura.

It didn't take long for Di Maria's influence to be felt, as no more than a minute after his debut, the Argentinian international crossed a perfect ball from the right wing onto the head of Cavani, whose effort narrowly missed Danijel Subasic's goal.

That incisive pass was a precursor for what was to come, as Di Maria rifled a 40-yard pass into the path of Lavezzi and in between the two centre-backs before his Argentine teammate fired a rocket beyond the grasp of Subasic.

Di Maria's 25 minutes on the pitch will go a long way towards justifying his €63-million price tag, and his performance will certainly inspire PSG supporters to feel that this could be the year they win Champions League, but it was Cavani who was the man of the match.

In the 57th minute, he got on the end of an impeccable cross from Blaise Matuidi, turning his head just as the ball arrived to direct the ball beyond the grasp of Subasic.

The 72-time capped Uruguayan scored his second when he got on the end of a precise through-ball from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, calmly placing it in the back of the net and virtually cementing the result 10 minutes prior to Lavezzi's goal.

Several instances of brilliant interplay between Cavani, Moura, and Ibrahimovic - who found himself in the role of playmaker rather goal-scorer on Sunday - highlighted the many offensive threats at Laurent Blanc's disposal.

The combination of that three-pronged attack, Di Maria playing like a man in form, and Serge Aurier's crosses from the right wing was penetrating for a club that should claim their fourth successive Ligue 1 title with little trouble.