Ramos opens account as PSG go 11 clear with Reims’ drubbing

Sergio Ramos scored his first Paris Saint-Germain goal as the Ligue 1 leaders cruised to a 4-0 home victory over Reims on Sunday.

The defender has endured a challenging start to life in the French capital since his switch from Real Madrid.

But he opened his account for Mauricio Pochettino’s side with a close-range second-half finish at the Parc des Princes.

Marco Verratti began the scoring with his first league goal in just under five years.

Wout Faes’ own goal and a Danilo Pereira strike sealed the points as the hosts moved 11 points clear at the top of the table.

PSG, who also welcomed back Lionel Messi following his absence due to COVID-19, have now won the last four Ligue 1 meetings between these sides.

They kept a clean sheet on each occasion.

Unbeaten in 13 home league games, PSG quickly took control of proceedings, with Pereira heading over from a corner-kick while Kylian Mbappe shot straight at Predrag Rajkovic.

The hosts broke through just before half-time; Mauro Icardi’s blocked effort ricocheting for Verratti, who beat Rajkovic with a sweetly-struck shot.

Seeking only a third win from 15 away matches, Reims almost found a leveller after the break.

Nathanael Mbuku drew a smart save out of Keylor Navas, before Hugo Ekitike sent the rebound over.

However, it was PSG who doubled their lead in the 62nd minute as Ramos prodded home at the second attempt.

That was after his initial strike following a corner-kick was parried by Rajkovic.

Five minutes later, two became three with Verratti’s strike taking two deflections —- the latter off Faes —- before nestling in the far corner.

Icardi was denied shortly afterwards before Pereira got in on the act with a quarter of an hour remaining, latching onto Mbappe’s centre before his deflected shot flew past Rajkovic.

dpa/NAN.