Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar duo Neymar and Edinson Cavani appeared to come to blows once again over who should take a penalty in their 2-0 win over Troyes on Wednesday night.
Cavani was hauled to the ground by Troyes midfielder Karim Azamoum just before half time and referee Jerome Brisard pointed to the spot.
The Uruguay international staked his claim to take the spot kick but the Parisians’ world-record signing appeared to have other ideas.
Neymar and Edinson Cavani came to blows over who should take a penalty in the Troyes win
Cavani was hauled to the ground by Troyes midfielder Karim Azamoum just before half time
He and the Brazilian had a heated discussion over who should be allowed to take the spot kick
PSG captain Thiago Silva and midfielder Javier Pastore stepped in and embrace the frontman
The pair were caught having a brief discussion before the Brazilian sullenly walked away from the opportunity to add to his season tally.
Javier Pastore and PSG captain Thiago Silva were quick to step in, however, and embrace their talismanic frontman, ensuring tempers did not flair.
It is not the first time the pair have clashed over penalty duties.
Cavani previously missed from 12 yards back in September and L’Equipe reported that the pair had to be separated by team-mates in the changing room after the match.
The French paper then claimed Neymar apologised to his team-mates following the reported bust up.
But Unai Emery revealed after the incident that Cavani would be entrusted with penalty, as was the case against Troyes.
Troyes goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa guessed correctly to make a fine low save to his right
The Uruguayan looks dejected after missing the 12-yard strike at Parc des Princes
The pair were reported to have clashed before over penalty duties, against Lyon in September
French outlet L’Equipe reported back in September that the pair had to be separated
The spot kick on Wednesday, however, was again ultimately saved. Troyes goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa guessed right to make a fine low save as the visitors went into the break on level terms.
The Brazilian, though, was to make his mark on the game — almost inevitably — converting his 15th goal in 16 games for the French capital club.
He made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute when he picked the ball up on the left, some 25 yards out, before powering forward and unleashing an angled drive across the keeper and into the far corner.
Then Cavani atoned for his earlier miss from 12 yards. The striker latched onto a pass from Neymar, who broke down the left and cut into the penalty area, to slot past Samassa and maintain PSG’s impressive 10-point lead at the top of the table.
The result makes it 13 wins out of 15 for Emery’s men in Ligue 1, placing them as firm favourites to regain their crown from Monaco this term.
The Brazilian was to make his mark on the game — converting his 15th goal in a PSG shirt
Neymar’s long-range effort broke the deadlock with 15 minutes left on the clock
Cavani then atoned for his earlier miss from 12 yards to double the lead and secure the points
The strike duo were back on happier terms after the Uruguayan netted his side’s second