PARIS: Paris St Germain’s record signing Neymar was in unstoppable form on his home debut, with the Brazil star scoring twice and playing a role in the other four goals as the 10-man side thrashed Toulouse 6-2 to go top of Ligue 1.

Neymar saved the best to last, bringing the Parc des Princes crowd to its feet with an astonishing solo goal in injury time. He dribbled through a forest of bewildered defenders, changing direction and rolling the ball off his foot left and right in an almost balletic display of skill and balance, before calmly stroking the ball home as if at a training session.

Neymar milked the applause with even Toulouse’s players lining up to shake his hand.

“I feel very happy and relaxed, I feel at home. I am adapting as quickly as possible. I am getting better physically and I can still improve yet,” the 25-year-old said ominously after the game.

Neymar, who joined from Barcelona for a world record 222 million euros ($262 million), drew PSG level after Max Gradel had put Toulouse ahead with a volley in the 18th minute.

Adrien Rabiot struck home before an Edinson Cavani penalty made it 3-1 after Marco Verratti was given his marching orders in the 69th minute.

The visitors closed the gap thanks to Christopher Jullien’s header but there was no stopping PSG as Javier Pastore curled in a sublime, curling shot from 25 meters that dipped into the top right corner in the 82nd and two minutes later, Neymar whipped over a clever corner that left back Layvin Kurzawa met with a spectacular scissor kick.

The result moved PSG to the top of the table on goal difference, with champions Monaco and Saint-Etienne also maintaining their 100 percent records with three wins each.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Marcelo Bielsa suffered a second straight loss as Lille coach in a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Caen, while Olympique de Marseille were frustrated by Angers in a 1-1 draw at the Velodrome.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2017