LIGUE 1 - PSG win against Montpellier in the absence of Messi

In the absence of Lionel Messi, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Julian Draxler scored for Paris Saint-Germain in a 2-0 win against Montpellier on Saturday.

PSG took an early lead at the Parc des Princes as Senegal midfielder Gueye sent a 20-yard drive into the top of the goal, and substitute Draxler added a late second as Mauricio Pochettino's side maintained their perfect start to the French season.

However, PSG's performance was far from convincing, as they had scored stoppage-time goals in the previous week to win 2-1 over Lyon and struggling Metz, respectively.

They meet Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, hoping to avenge their semi-final loss to Pep Guardiola's team last season.

In Ligue 1, they have won eight of their eight games and are already 10 points ahead of second-placed Marseille, who do have two games in hand.

Since joining the Qatar-owned team in early August, Messi has only made three appearances for the club, totaling 190 minutes.