PSG 1-1 Monaco: Player ratings as Neymar penalty rescues point
Paris Saint-Germain returned to the top of the Ligue 1 table on goal difference as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Monaco on Sunday night.
Kevin Volland got the scoring underway before going off injured, with PSG eventually equalising in the second half through Neymar's penalty.
The hosts had hit the woodwork through Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in quick succession before half time, but couldn't muster another goal after Neymar's leveller.
Monaco frustrated their hosts in the early stages and deservedly took the lead through Volland in the 20th minute.
The Germany international was sent scampering through on goal when Mohamed Camara nicked possession off Messi before Alexander Golovin played an inch-perfect pass. Volland comfortably held off Presnel Kimpembe to fire beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Volland went off injured almost immediately after his goal as PSG started to show their attacking teeth. A Neymar shot was blocked before Kylian Mbappe headed over, with Henrique then going close for the visitors with a free kick which was punched clear by Donnarumma.
A flurry of attacking intent saw PSG nearly drag themselves level before half time. Mbappe had a goal-bound shot cleared off the line and then struck the post on the rebound after Messi had hit the upright from distance.
However, Christophe Galtier's side still looked wobbly in defence and almost allowed Monaco to double their lead as first Marquinhos headed just wide of Donnarumma's post before Wissam Ben Yedder curled over from distance, having rounded the onrushing Italy goalkeeper.
Alexander Nubel made himself big to deny Neymar and the Brazilian later curled over the top after the goalkeeper had charged out, but he soon got the chance to level things up from the spot after some VAR intervention.
The former Barcelona forward was brought down by Guillermo Maripan, eventually scoring the penalty with a stuttered run-up having seen his initial appeal turned down.
Some set-piece opportunities followed but Monaco kept their illustrious hosts at bay to register their fifth point of the season, five behind PSG who top the table on goal difference.
PSG player ratings vs Monaco - Ligue 1
1. PSG (3-4-3)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 5/10 - Looked so shaky. Almost saw Marquinhos net an own goal past him and moments later nearly gave one away himself with a reckless bit of attempted sweeper-keeping.
CB: Sergio Ramos - 5/10 - One glimpse of goal ended with a failed bicycle kick.
CB: Marquinhos - 5/10 - Positionally a mess for Monaco's opener. Nearly stuck a header beyond Donnarumma at the start of the second half.
CB: Presnel Kimpembe - 5/10 - Didn't have the strength to get ahead of Volland for the goal. Booked for a clumsy tackle.
RWB: Achraf Hakimi - 6/10 - Smashed one chance wide of the post. Not the attacking threat he has shown himself possible of being.
CM: Renato Sanches - 5/10 - Lost the midfield battle against the likes of Fofana and Camara.
CM: Marco Verratti - 6/10 - Still in need of a quality midfield partner. Can't do everything on his own but he still gave it a go.
LWB: Nuno Mendes - 6/10 - Not that successful whenever he embarked for a dribble but recovered the ball well in defence.
RF: Lionel Messi - 6/10 - Somewhat subdued for the first 40 minutes before striking the post on the stroke of half time. Passing was good but still looks awkward in the PSG shirt.
LF: Neymar - 7/10 - Booked early on for a childish push on Volland. Earned the penalty and dispatched it cooly.
ST: Kylian Mbappe - 4/10 - Had three shots on target throughout the game and hit the post when he should have scored from Messi's rebound. Sulked in periods and should have won the game for PSG with the number of chances he had.
SUB: Danilo Pereira (63' for Sanches) - 6/10
SUB: Pablo Sarabia (87' for Messi) - N/A
SUB: Nordi Mukiele (87' for Marquinhos) - N/A