3 April, by Sean Gillen

Pauleta bounces back to form with stunning hatrick

Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Bordeaux

Pedro Pauleta provided a master class in finishing to score a first-half hatrick against his former club at the Parc Des Princes.

Pauleta scored 65 league goals in three seasons at Bordeaux, but he showed his former employers no mercy as the Parisians condemned the visitors to their first defeat in over four months.

Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer got his first after just six minutes, meeting a Vikash Dhoraso cross with a downward header at the far post.

The game failed to spark into life after that, with both sides struggling to provide an attacking threat in the final third.

Bordeaux then stunned PSG with an equaliser after 22 minutes. Edixon Perea latched onto a long throughball and after PSG goalkeeper Lionel Letizi’s reluctance to close the striker down, the Colombian smashed the ball into the net.

Paris SG reacted well to the setback and their positive attitude saw them put the visitors under pressure immediately. Brazilian full-back Paulo Cesar shot just past the post after cutting in from the left, before Eduard Cisse volleyed wide.

Clever build-up

Pauleta got his second goal from the penalty spot, and was heavily involved in the excellent buildup that led to the foul. Pauleta dummied over the ball to allow Dhoraso’s pass to find Bonaventure Kalou and the Ivorian’s well-timed back heel put the Portuguese striker in on goal, only for Marc Planus to tug his shirt.

The Azorean hitman stepped up to send Ulrich Rame the wrong way and regain the lead for PSG.

The hat-trick was complete before half time, with Pauleta clinically nodding home an inswinging cross from Jerome Rothen for his 22nd league goal of the season.

The home side enjoyed a comfortable second half, with 2nd-placed Bordeaux surprisingly lacking in creative inspiration. International midfielder Dhoraso went closest for PSG in the second period, shooting just wide after exchanging passes with Kalou.

Pauleta, who had taken a number of knocks throughout the game, was substituted with five minutes remaining and was given a huge ovation from the Parisian fans. The chase for a UEFA Cup place continues for PSG, who remain 8th after arch-rivals Marseille were also victorious.


Paris Saint-Germain:
Letizi, Mendy, Rozehnal, Paulo Cesar, Armand, Cisse, M’Bami, Dhoraso (Landrin, 73), Rothen, Kalou, Pauleta (Bueno, 84)
Yellow Cards: Bueno (86)

Bordeaux:
Rame, Jemmali, Faubert, Marange, Planus, Mavuba (Ducasse, 66), Alonso, Cheyrou, Denilson (Francia, 69), Perea, Laslandes (Lavie, 84)
Yellow Cards: Planus (37), Faubert (49)

Goals:
[1-0] Pauleta, 6
[1-1] Perea, 22
[2-1] Pauleta, 37 (pen)
[3-1] Pauleta, 44