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Champions League: Goal-hungry PSG send out statement

Ousmane Dembele scores PSG's sixth goal against Bayer Leverkusen
Ousmane Dembele scores PSG's sixth goal against Bayer Leverkusen

Paris St Germain sent out a Champions League statement as they swept aside Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 in an action-packed rout at the BayArena to go top of the standings.

The first half saw the holders take a 4-1 lead but there were also red cards for Robert Andrich and Illia Zabarnyi as both sides dropped to 10 men.

The Ligue 1 heavyweights continued in the same vein in the second period, with Nuno Mendes, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all scoring to join Willian Pacho, Desire Doue (two) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Alex Garcia scored a Leverkusen consolation in each half, with Alex Grimaldo missing an earlier penalty.

Luis Enrique's side are one of three teams to boast a 100% record after three rounds, but lead Inter Milan and Arsenal on goal difference despite both teams winning 4-0.

The Gunners did all of their scoring in the second half against Atletico Madrid, who held on until the 57th minute at the Emirates Stadium before the floodgates opened.

Inter were convincing against Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels and have yet to concede in the competition.

After a bright start by the Belgians, Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martinez, Hakan Calhanoglu and Pio Esposito put the game to bed for the Serie A heavyweights.

Barcelona also turned in a flamboyant showing as they steamrollered Olympiacos 6-1, returning to winning ways after defeat by PSG last time out.

Fermin Lopez celebrates a goal against Olympiacos

Fermin Lopez - pictured above - scored a hat-trick, while the rejuvenated Marcus Rashford claimed two as well as earning a penalty which Lamine Yamal converted.

Barca had a precarious 2-1 lead after Ayoub El Kaabi's spot-kick brought the Greek side back into it, but the hosts ran riot after Santiago Hezze was sent off with more than half-an-hour remaining.

Villarreal were downed 2-0 at home to Manchester City, who saw Erling Haaland stretch his consecutive scoring streak to 12 games for club and country before Bernardo Silva made the points safe.

Pep Guardiola's side sit fifth on seven points, level with a Borussia Dortmund side who beat Copenhagen 4-2. Felix Nmecha notched in each half, with Ramy Bensebaini and Fabio Silva also on target.

Napoli were stunned by a 6-2 loss at PSV Eindhoven, leaving them stuck on three points in 22nd.

Napoli took the lead through Scott McTominay, who also netted late on, but their defence was unable to keep out the hosts. Dennis Man scored twice, including one of three goals that followed Lorenzo Lucca's sending off in the 76th minute.

Newcastle banked a second straight win with a 3-0 home success against Jose Mourinho's Benfica. Anthony Gordon's sidefoot finish put them ahead and Harvey Barnes came off the bench to grab the next two.

Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty drew 0-0 with Pafos to earn their first point in the Champions League.

Cypriot-side Pafos had striker Joao Correia sent off after just four minutes but Ofri Arad's effort against the upright was as close as the home side came to taking all three points.

Watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport

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