PA PhotosZlatan Ibrahimovic was on target for PSG at Brest

Paris Saint-Germain all but guaranteed that they will finish 2012 as autumn champions with a convincing 3-0 win over Brest in Brittany on Friday. Carlo Ancelotti's side thoroughly deserved the three points against Landry Chauvin's 10-men, with the visitors putting in one of their best attacking performances of the season and playing some of the best football exhibited under the Italian. Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, substitute Kevin Gameiro and an own goal from former PSG man Bernard Mendy secured the points, but the result was rarely in doubt.

Speaking after the game, Ancelotti said: "The holidays will be good because we're top of the table. It was a good display, though not an easy game. The scoreline didn't matter. It was important to win, and we won well with a strong display and positive attitude. We've had some problems and some very difficult moments. The important thing was that we react. We did, and the players deserve praise. If we continue with the same level of performance, it'll be a very good 2013."

Most encouraging from the result was PSG's display of attacking intensity, registering 30 shots - the highest Ligue 1 total so far this season. Since changing to an attacking quartet in the home victory over Evian, Ancelotti has been able to accommodate the talents of Jeremy Menez, Javier Pastore, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Ibrahimovic in the same team. Menez flourished again in his new role exploiting the space in and around Ibra, his fantastic showing in the final third evidenced by the fact that he completed the most passes going forward. Arguably, PSG would have had even more goals if Alexis Thebaux was not in inspired form in the hosts' goal, with the Frenchman saving seven first-half shots to keep the game scoreless at half-time. The passing flowed too and now, just when they needed to, Ancelotti's men are playing convincing football that marries technical proficiency and ruthless efficiency.

Fantastic performances from Javier Pastore and both Thiago's - Silva and Motta - were also reason for satisfaction. Pastore, who went close with a first half effort that was thwarted by Thebaux, put in one of his better overall performances, though he could have made his last appearance in PSG colours following his 81st minute substitution. Silva's goal line clearance from Eden Ben Basat's goal-bound header once again demonstrated exactly why the club were prepared to make him the most expensive defender in world football. The improved defensive showing of late has meant that PSG have now scored 12 goals without reply in their last 4, with those clean sheets taking Salvatore Sirigu's mid-season total to 12 overall. Motta also contributed to that, continuing his impressive record when in the team of helping them to victory. The winning percentage when he has lined up for PSG this season now stands at 75%, compared to only 45% when he is not present.

Gameiro once again underlined his importance to the cause too, despite being used as a super-sub. Recently linked with a move to Liverpool, the Frenchman scored just 140 seconds after coming on. That was his fifth goal of the season and second in as many games after his strike in a late five minute cameo against Evian a fortnight ago. Understandably frustrated at not starting regularly, this season has been affected by small, niggly injuries at the wrong times. Crucially though, Gameiro has retained his consistent form through these short absences and has netted almost a goal a game with five now from 12 matches.

It begs the question then, given Liverpool's reported interest, what is the logic of him leaving right now? There is none. No player wants to start on the bench every game, but then again not every striker in the league is fighting with Ibrahimovic for a starting berth. The more the former Lorient man makes an impact when given the chance though, the more likely he is to earn a starting place. With a Coupe de France clash with Arras coming up in January, expect Gameiro to start that match.

Again leading the cause though was Ibrahimovic, the Swede taking his year's goal tally to 46 in his last 48 league games in both Italy and France. With 26 goals and 12 assists this season for club and country, the 31-year old is approaching the peak of his powers. It is worth noting that 12 of his 18 league goals have come away from home, helping the capital club to six road wins and one draw (19 points in total). He is also the first player to reach 18 goals at the halfway stage of Ligue 1 season since former PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic in 1984-1985.

Being autumn champions is a good omen for PSG; five of the last ten sides to lift the title have been top at the halfway stage and then enjoyed eventual success. Crucially though, a note of caution that Ancelotti will no doubt remind his players of is that PSG were autumn champions last season too. However, they were eventually pipped to the title by Montpellier, although they look more likely to avoid that this time around.

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