Paris Saint-Germain played host to Bastia in Ligue 1 this afternoon looking for the win that would take them to the top of the table.
The French champions went into half time with a two-goal advantage courtesy of a brace from Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic made way for Edinson Cavani at the interval, and his replacement also helped himself to a double - his second coming from the penalty spot - to make it 4-0 to the hosts.
Find out how all the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Bastia. Both starting XIs are in, and we'll have those for you in a moment...
PSG: Sirigu, Marquinhos, Alex, Digne, Jallet, Menez, Matuidi, Rabiot, Moura, Ongenda, Ibrahimovic
BASTIA: Landreau, Palmieri, Modesto, Harek, Cioni, Romaric, Krasic, Khazri, Boudebouz, Cahuzac, Bruno
The big news there as far as PSG are concerned is that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been passed fit to start. He missed Sweden's recent World Cup qualifiers with a thigh strain, and was touch and go at one stage.
Laurent Blanc is without the services of suspended midfielder Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti this afternoon, so it's very much a case of how they will compensate in the middle of the park.
This is a big game for PSG, with Blanc's second-placed side able to go top since leaders Monaco aren't due to play until tomorrow. They currently sit behind their big-spending rivals on goal difference.
Bastia lie in mid-table these days, but things are looking up for them. They picked up their first win in five just before the international break, hitting four past Lorient in the process.
PREDICTION: I wouldn't say it was wise to bet against PSG when they are playing mid-table opposition at home these days. I'm going with a 2-0 victory for the home side.
It's a full house here in the French capital as the league champions look to keep up their unbeaten start to the season. Stick around for live updates from the match.
KICKOFF: Bastia get the match under way.
Half-chance for PSG as Christophe Jallet picks up Lucas Digne's cross from wide on the left. His effort is blocked, allowing Bastia keeper Mickael Landreau to gather the loose ball.
It's been a solid start to the match from the home side. They were the first to threaten and have controlled the early possession.
A quiet start to the game from both sides. Jallet's blocked effort is the only chance on goal to report on, with PSG looking comfortable on the ball in the midfield, yet struggling to break their opponents down.
GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Bastia (Ibrahimovic)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic gives PSG the lead with an absolute peach of a goal. Lucas Moura provided the cross from over on the right, Hervin Ongenda flicked it on, and Ibrahimovic produces and improvised volley to put the chance away.
GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Bastia (Ibrahimovic)
It's two for the Swedish international in the space of three minutes, his second a free header following a free kick by Lucas Moura. Shocking marking from Basta, but Ibrahimovic was as clinical as ever.
CHANCE! Adrien Rabiot gives his marker the slip to go one-on-one with Mickael Landreau in the Bastia goal, but the veteran stopper gets a hand to his effort and tips it behind for a corner.
PSG are firmly on top here in the French capital. They look dangerous going forward, with the likes of Moura and Ibrahimovic being too much to handle for Bastia. It looks like there might be plenty more goals in this one.
CHANCE! Another PSG opportunity goes begging as a Moura header is cleared off the line and put behind for a corner. Bastia are struggling to get the ball out of their own half at the moment.
Bastia win a throw deep in their opponents' half, but quickly lose possession and are forced onto the back foot once more. They are chasing shadows at the moment.
Bastia fire a searching ball into the PSG area, which Marquinhos heads clear. The move breaks down as the referee blows for a foul and awards the hosts a free kick.
CHANCE! Bastia have their first sniff at goal as Bruno jumps up from a free header in front of the opposition's net, but directs his effort over the bar. Sirigu in the PSG goal is furious at his defence for allowing him that free header, and rightly so.
CHANCE! PSG respond by having a shot themselves, this one coming from a mazy run by Lucas Moura, whose shot is deflected narrowly wide for a corner.
CHANCE! PSG respond by having a shot themselves, this one coming from a mazy run by Lucas Moura, whose shot is deflected narrowly wide for a corner.
BOOKING! Gilles Cioni goes into the book for bringing down Ibrahimovic. PSG are awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, which Lucas Moura steps up to take...
SHOT! Lucas Moura goes for goal from 25 yards, his effort curling towards the bottom corner. Landreau keeps its out at full stretch and turns it behind for a corner. Impressive goalkeeping from him!
PSG are still dominating possession, and while Bastia aren't exactly lying down, they look wide open at the back and have barely threatened the home goal all afternoon.
CHANCE! PSG squander a glorious chance to make it 3-0 as Hervin Ongenda plays a menacing ball into the box in search for Lucas Moura, only for the Brazilian to miskick at the crucial moment and gift Basia a goalkick.
Basia are appealing for a penalty as Wahbi Khazri's shot appears to strike Alex on the arm. The referee isn't interested, awarding the visitors a corner only.
CHANCE! A good chance for Bastia to pull one back goes begging as Romaric shoots across the face of goal, and Khazri is inches away from connecting with it and putting it in the back of the net. A let-off for PSG there!
HALF TIME: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Bastia
The referee calls time on an entertaining first half here in the French capital. A brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic separates the two sides at the break, the first of which was an absolute stroke of genius.
It's fair to say that PSG deserve to be in front at the break having claimed 59% of the possession in the first period, but Bastia have almost caught them on the break a couple of times. I think there will be more goals in this one, and wouldn't be surprised if they came at both ends.
It's Lucas Moura and that man Ibrahimovic who have been the difference this afternoon. They have caused the Bastia defence all kinds of problems, and have linked up well. Hervin Ongenda also deserves plaudits for his creative play.
KICKOFF: PSG get the match back under way. They have made a substitution at the break, bringing on Edinson Cavani for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a like-for-like swap.
PSG are forced onto the back foot early in this second period as Ryad Boudebouz sails a looping cross into the box, which Salvatore Sirigu claims at full stretch. Good early pressure from the visitors.
After a nervy start to the second period, PSG are back into their stride, holding possession confidently and pressing Bastia in the final third. Cavani is working hard, but hasn't gotten into the game yet.
Half-chance for the hosts as Lucas Digne plays a long ball into the box towards Cavani, but it fails to reach the Uruguayan and the Bastia defence clears it lines.
Lucas Moura plays a low cross into the box, which Cavani hopes to turn in with a deft backheel, but it goes behind off his marker for a PSG corner.
SUBSTITUTION: Bastia bring on Claudiu Keseru in place of Bruno in a like-for-like change upfront. Romanian international Keseru was on target for his country during its recent World Cup qualifiers.
GOOD TACKLE! Julian Palmieri does will to dispossess Lucas Moura as the Brazilian picks up Marquinhos's long pass and bears down on goal. Bastia break after regaining possession.
CHANCE! Keseru's first contribution is to curl an effort on target after exchanging passes with Romaric. He got plenty of power behind that, but directed his effort straight at Sirigu.
GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Bastia (Cavani)
Edinson Cavani gets his name on the scoresheet with a wonderful solo effort. The Uruguayan surged into the area past two defenders, rounded Landreau, and put the ball in the net from an incredibly tight angle. Brilliant stuff from him!
Cavani puts Bastia under intense pressure chasing a lost cause in the opposition's box. He gains possession against the odds and attempts to line up Lucas Moura, but the Brazilian's first touch is poor.
CHANCE! Hervin Ongenda shows off his silky skills, leaving his marker for dead with a neat turn. He shoots towards goal, forcing Landreau to pull off another reaction stop.
CHANCE! Ongenda picks out Lucas Moura with a measured through ball, only for his Brazilian teammate to overrun it, allowing Landreau to dive at his feet and retrieve the ball. If he had struck that first time, PSG would likely be 4-0 up.
There's surely no way back for Bastia now. Not only are they three goals down, but they are struggling to string passes together and create anything upfront.
OFF THE POST! Lucas Digne plays a free kick towards the back post, which Lucas Moura blazes over the bar. Moments later, Cavani gains possession and hits the woodwork with a first-time strike, putting the rebound into the side netting.
CHANCE! Khazri steals the ball from Rabiot, cuts inside the area and lets fly, but his strike sails over the crossbar. He did all the hard work himself, yet couldn't finish what he started.
Bastia win a corner with seven minutes to go plus stoppages. Romaric swings a cross into the box, but it fails to trouble Sirigu between the PSG sticks.
PSG have just strung countless passes together unchallenged, the home crowd ironically cheering each one. They are toying with their opponents now.
PENALTY FOR PSG!
Landreu dives at the feet of Digne and brings him down. The ref doesn't hesitate for a second before pointing to the spot. The Bastia keeper has been booked, and Cavani will take the kick...
GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Bastia (Cavani)
Cavani cooly dispatches the penalty, beating Landreu to his left. A text-book finish from the striker.
Three minutes of stoppage time to be played.
FULL TIME: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Bastia
PSG have claimed their biggest win of the season and moved to the top of the league in the process. They will remain there until at least tomorrow evening when Monaco take on Sochaux.
That's all we've got time for this evening. Stick around for our match report from the French capital, as well as coverage from tonight's other Ligue 1 fixtures. Thanks for reading!
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
