20 March, by Sean Gillen

Pauleta ends goal drought in PSG thrashing

Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Auxerre

Pedro Pauleta ended his 5-match goal drought in Ligue 1 as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Auxerre to win for the first time in eight matches.

Having seen their side struggle to produce goals and entertainment this season, the Parisian fans were treated to a confident and composed performance at the Parc Des Princes.

After a slow first 25 minutes, Pauleta set up PSG’s first goal for Bonaventure Kalou to score against his old club. After being excellently found by Edouard Cisse on the right of the penalty area, the Azorean hitman crossed for Kalou to rifle in from 10 metres.

The home side were gifted a second when Auxerre’s Czech defender Rene Bolf headed a Jerome Rothen cross into his own net on 38 minutes.

Pauleta fires home

Pauleta got Paris SG’s third 10 minutes into the second half. Kalou repaid the earlier favor by playing in the striker and, after resisting the challenge of Johan Radet, Pauleta fired past Fabien Cool for his 19th league goal of the season.

Kalou got his second two minutes later when he expertly side-footed a volley past Cool from a Vikash Dhoraso cross. It was the first time that PSG had scored four times this season in the league.

Lionel Mathis volleyed a late consolation for Auxerre but it could not spoil the night for the home fans, who applauded Pauleta and Dhoraso off the pitch as they were subbed late on.

Paris Saint-Germain’s hopes of a UEFA Cup spot are back on track and a few more performances like this should see Pauleta and company playing European football next season.


Paris Saint-Germain:
Alonzo, Mendy, Armand, Rozehnal, P.Cesar, Cisse, M’Bami, Dhoraso (Pichot, 90), Rothen (Rodriguez, 87), Kalou, Pauleta
Yellow Cards: Dhoraso (85)

Auxerre:
Cool, Radet (Grichting, 59), Bolf, Kaboul, Sajma, Violeau, Cheyrou, Mathis, Akale (Pieroni, 79), Kahlenberg (Lachuer, 77), Luyindula
Yellow Cards: None

Goals:
[1-0] Kalou, 27
[2-0] Bolf, 38 (o.g.)
[3-0] Pauleta, 56
[4-0] Kalou, 58
[4-1] Mathis, 59