Thierry Henry endured another miserable evening as Monaco manager after Edinson Cavani’s hat-trick ushered Paris St Germain to a 4-0 victory at the Stade Louis II.
On a night when the linesmen came under scrutiny, Cavani scored twice inside 12 minutes – with both goals overturned on the video assistant referee system having been initially flagged for offside.
Cavani used his predatory instinct to complete his treble before Neymar completed the rout from the penalty spot, putting the defending Ligue 1 champions 13 points clear at the top of the standings.
Their fortunes are in stark contrast to those of Monaco, last season’s runners-up who are only being kept off the bottom spot on goal difference.
Henry, meanwhile, saw his winless run as Monaco boss stretched to six games, while this was their second 4-0 hammering at their own ground in six days.
As the drizzle fell in the principality, Monaco made an enterprising start only to fall behind following PSG’s first sight at goal.
Their comical inability to clear their lines allowed Cavani to tap in at the back post from Neymar’s cross-cum-shot after five minutes.
Cavani was initially flagged for offside but VAR overturned the decision while technology again came to the Uruguayan’s aid as the visitors doubled their advantage seven minutes later.
Shortly after Radamel Falcao had dithered over a gilt-edged chance to level, the linesman once more had his flag up when Kylian Mbappe slid across for Cavani to slot into an empty net.
However, replays showed that Cavani had been alongside play, forcing the decision to be reversed for a second time.
Monaco’s evening worsened when Nacer Chadli limped off midway through the first half to be replaced by Jordi Mboula, who spurned a golden opportunity to score moments later when he miscued over the bar with the goal gaping.
Diego Benaglio saved brilliantly from Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku and Moussa Diaby as the capital club started to turn the screw towards the end of the half.
Julian Draxler looked to have further increased PSG’s lead on the stroke of half-time but even though the flag stayed down this time, replays showed the German was offside.
It was a rare moment of luck for Monaco, who were forced into their second change of the night shortly after the resumption when substitute Mboula had to be taken off because of injury.
Henry looked on in disbelief on the touchline and his mood would have darkened in the 53rd minute as Cavani completed his hat-trick with another simple finish from Mbappe’s low ball across the six-yard area.
Ten minutes later, it was 4-0 when Neymar sent Benaglio the wrong way from the penalty spot after Mbappe had been carelessly fouled by Djibril Sidibe in the area.
Mbappe rounded Benaglio and rolled into the empty net but VAR showed the French star had been offside.
It hardly mattered, though, as PSG clinched a one-sided win.
