Montpellier shock PSG in Ligue 1 romp
Montpellier abruptly halted Paris Saint-Germain's 12-match unbeaten run with the defending French league champion losing 3-0 Saturday.
Montpellier, the last club to win the title before PSG claimed it four seasons in a row, showed clinical efficiency to convert its three shots on target.
Second-placed PSG, which missed the chance to move top, had a lackluster first half and was made to pay for defensive errors in the second.
Paul Lasne opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, Ellyes Skhiri made it 2-0 just after halftime and Ryad Boudebouz compounded PSG's humiliation.
It was Montpellier's first win over the capital city club in 13 league matches, with its previous success dating back to May 2010.
In a first half with few chances for both sides, PSG forward Edinson Cavani had only eight touches as Montpellier defended resolutely.
The home side converted its first opportunity when Lasne took advantage of a lapse in the PSG defence, which failed to clear a long ball. Lasne beat Alphonse Areola with a lob from inside the area after the PSG 'keeper came out late.
Montpellier doubled its lead three minutes into the second half after Morgan Sanson showed his dribbling skills down the left side of the box and set up Skhiri with a cutback pass.
The 21-year-old midfielder fired a curling shot from the edge of the area past Areola.
PSG pushed hard to reduce the gap but Montpellier goalkeeper Laurent Pionnier enjoyed a commanding afternoon, successfully denying attempts from Angel Di Maria and Lucas.
Layvin Kurzawa and Di Maria then combined well on the left side to set up Blaise Matuidi, only for the midfielder to send the ball over the bar in the 68th minute.
With 10 minutes left to play, PSG was caught on the counterattack and Boudebouz found the net with a low shot from distance to complete the rout.
