PSG vs. Lorient: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain continued their unbeaten season on Wednesday night, dispatching FC Lorient 3-1 at the Parc des Princes.

Sylvain Ripoll would have hoped his side could have kept things tight for the first 20 minutes, but that plan was ruined after just six when Edinson Cavani opened the scoring after being played in by a cute Zlatan Ibrahimovic pass.

With games coming thick and fast, Blanc used the midweek fixture to rotate his side—Benjamin Stambouli continued in midfield, Cavani got his start and Hervin Ongenda and Jean-Kevin Augustin also found a place in the starting XI. 

"

1 - Paris are not leading at HT in a home game in Ligue 1 for the first time since December 2014 v Montpellier. Unusual.

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 3, 2016"

 He may have questioned that decision when Raphael Guerreiro combined with Majeed Waris to fire an equaliser past Kevin Trapp—but PSG would get the job done in the second half.

Goals from Ibrahimovic and Layvin Kurzawa sealed the 3-1 victory, extending their unbeaten run in the league to 33 games and their lead at the top of the table back to 24 points.

Here are the winners and losers from the game.

Winner: Edinson Cavani

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Cavani scored in his first start of 2016.

Blanc handed Edinson Cavani his first league start of 2016 on Wednesday night, and the Uruguayan striker didn't let him down.

With only six minutes on the clock, Ibrahimovic slipped the ball through to the forward. Cavani's touch took him round Benjamin Lecomte and—showing no signs of frustration—the forward finished calmly and precisely.

Cavani really should have made it two in the second half, but he could only watch his lob bounce off the crossbar. However, the forward will be delighted to get the start and even happier to get on the scoresheet.

Winner: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/Getty Images

Ibrahimovic gave PSG a 2-1 lead.

After two goals against AS Saint-Etienne to cap off an excellent January, Ibrahimovic got February off to a flier, scoring PSG's second in the 3-1 victory.

The Swede was picked out by a lovely low cross from Layvin Kurzawa—more on him in a minute—but questions have to be asked regarding Lorient's defending. 

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has now scored or assisted 27 goals in 19 Ligue 1 games this season.

Not bad for a 34-year-old. pic.twitter.com/Ti8pmKxsyQ

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 3, 2016"

Ibrahimovic looked comfortable and sharp playing in a slightly withdrawn playmaker role. Happy to knock the ball around and look to pick out willing runners, his outside-of-the-boot pass for Cavani set up the opening goal and brought his seventh assist of the season.

Loser: Lorient's Defending

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

Poor defending let Lorient down on Wednesday.

When you are facing a forward that has scored 19 goals during the league campaign, it is a good idea to put someone near him when he's running towards the six-yard box.

For PSG's second goal, Ibrahimovic was able to stroll in and add the finish to Kurzawa's cross. Zargo Toure and Lindsay Rose completely switched off, something you can't do against the champions.

Even for the third, Rafidine Abdullah's clearing header failed to reach the edge of the box, inviting trouble when a proper clearance would have removed the danger.

For all Lorient's excellent, enterprising play going forward, if you are going to make simple mistakes, you are going to lose more games than you'll win.

Winner: Layvin Kurzawa

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/Getty Images

Kurzawa with the perfect finish.

He may not get to start every game—Wednesday was his 10th of the season—but Layvin Kurzawa is doing an excellent job as Maxwell’s understudy this season.

The biggest criticism of Lucas Digne was that he didn’t take advantage of the chances that were afforded to him. Kurzawa isn’t making that mistake.

Against Lorient, the left-back set up Ibrahimovic for the team's second goal and then capped off an excellent performance with a technically perfect left-foot volley, curling into the far post, out of Lecomte’s reach.

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le relachement de kurzawa pic.twitter.com/un74W2JDoy

— philippe (@philousports) February 3, 2016"

According to WhoScored, the 23-year-old also made one tackle, two interceptions and two clearances to cap off an excellent evening.