Moses Simon had a hand in Paris FC’s best result of the season on Sunday. The Super Eagles winger set up Lassine Sinayoko’s second goal as the newly promoted side beat Monaco 3-1 at Stade Jean Bouin.
First, Paris FC too control early. Sinayoko opened the scoring after Maxime Lopez pounced on a mistake by Lamine Camara and a slip by Ilan Kebbal. As a result, the hosts went into the break in front.
Then came Simon’s moment. He played the ball in behind, Sinayoko ran onto it and the striker finished for his second of the afternoon.
After that, Monaco finally showed some life. They brought on Folarin Balogun and Christian Mawissa at halftime, and Balogun pulled one back with a one-touch finish from a Vanderson cross. However, Paris FC stayed in charge, and Pablo Pagis sealed it late, finishing first time from Sinayoko’s pass.
Meanwhile, Monaco, coached by Filipe Luis, were poor for long stretches. One match report called them “lethargic and uninspired,” which sums up how little they troubled the hosts.
In addition, the win lifts Paris FC to fourth in Ligue 1, three points behind leaders PSG. They had not lost at home this season before this game, so the run goes on.
Furthermore, it was Pierre Ferracci’s last match as club president. He leaves after 20 years in charge, and a statement win over a side like Monaco is a fitting send-off.
This is Simon’s first assist of the season, and it came in his seventh appearance. After a slow start, that matters. He has been a regular in Chelle’s squad, and the Super Eagles need creative players who arrive in camp with momentum.
In particular, Simon’s pace and his ability to find runners in behind are exactly what Chelle wants against deep defences. With Victor Osimhen’s availability still uncertain, Nigeria will want wide players who can feed whoever leads the line, and Simon just showed he can do that.
Next, Paris FC travel to Auxerre on Saturday, 7 November, and they will be favourites to carry this form into that game. After that, Simon will join the Super Eagles for the Tanzania double-header in November, with AFCON qualification hopes on the line.
