Luis Enrique praised Hakimi’s attacking contribution and explained the freedom he has when PSG are in possession.

PARIS: Achraf Hakimi scored a brilliant hat-trick on Friday as a heavily rotated Paris Saint-Germain side cruised to a 5-1 victory over bottom-placed Le Havre in Ligue 1.

PSG’s closest title rivals, Rennes, suffered a 5-2 defeat away to Nice, leaving them four points behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud scored a late winner to lift Lille into second place with a 1-0 victory over Lens.

The 40-year-old Giroud came off the bench to score his third goal of the season, settling a closely contested encounter.

PSG have now won six consecutive league matches following a slow start to the campaign. They lead the standings with 20 points, while Lille have 18. Monaco could join Lille on 18 points if they defeat Paris FC on Sunday. Rennes remain on 16 points.

Hakimi Leads PSG Comeback

Despite having collected just two points so far, Le Havre made an aggressive start and caught the PSG defence off guard.

Striker Josh Maja opened the scoring in the 18th minute, firing home against the run of play after the hosts surged forward.

PSG responded eight minutes later when Belgian winger Mika Godts raced onto a pass from Hakimi to equalise.

Just two minutes after that, Hakimi put the visitors ahead with a powerful low strike inside the near post, leaving the Le Havre defence trailing.

The European champions continued to dominate, and Hakimi extended their lead with a fierce free-kick that curled low past goalkeeper Arnaud Bodard to make it 3-1.

Mayulu Adds Fourth Before Hakimi Completes Hat-Trick

Le Havre pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the contest, but PSG capitalised on the space left behind.

With goalkeeper Bodard caught well outside his penalty area and no defender in his own half, Senny Mayulu rounded him before finishing from distance shortly after the hour mark.

Hakimi completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute. Bodard saved his initial attempt, but the ball rebounded off the Morocco international and looped into the net.

The defender had barely completed his celebration when PSG coach Luis Enrique substituted him.

Luis Enrique Explains Hakimi’s Attacking Role

Luis Enrique praised Hakimi’s attacking contribution and explained the freedom he has when PSG are in possession.

“He’s a striker when we have the ball. He’s free to do that when we are in possession, but obliged to defend when we aren’t,” the Spanish coach said.

Enrique rested several key players, including Desire Doue, Vitinha and Joao Neves, who remained on the bench.

Ousmane Dembele missed the match through injury, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia faces the prospect of missing the remainder of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in last week’s Champions League victory over Barcelona.