Montpellier beat Rennes, drama at the bottom | OneFootball

Stephy Mavididi’s late goal gave 10-man Montpellier Hérault SC a precious 1-0 win over Stade Rennais FC on Sunday. Earlier there was drama in the relegation battle, with FC Nantes scoring at the death to draw with ESTAC Troyes.

Montpellier Hérault SC 1-0 Stade Rennais FC

THE MATCH

Following a first half of few clear chances in the rain at the Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier’s clash with Rennes came to life after the restart. The home side were reduced to 10 men after 53 minutes when captain Téji Savanier was shown a straight red card for a nasty challenge on Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, raking his studs down the youngster’s calf.

Rennes then attempted to make the most of having the extra man but an Arthur Theate long-range shot that hit the bar on its way over was as close as they came to taking the lead before Montpellier got the all-important goal six minutes from time. Jordan Ferri’s free-kick delivery was nodded down by Christopher Jullien for substitute Mavididi to head in from close range and spark wild celebrations.

Montpellier then held on for the win as they bounce back following back-to-back defeats and end the weekend as they started it, eight points clear of the relegation zone. Rennes, meanwhile, missed the chance to climb above LOSC Lille and back into the European places.

THE PLAYER: Téji Savanier

Savanier’s reckless red card did not end up costing Montpellier on the day after his teammates dug deep in his absence. He was lucky, but coach Michel Der Zakarian will now have to do without his skipper and main creative threat in upcoming matches as Savanier serves a suspension. He has now been sent off three times this season.

THE STAT: 25

Mavididi’s goal was his 25th in Ligue 1. The only Englishman with more goals in France’s top flight is Glenn Hoddle, who scored 27.

Elsewhere Nantes remain outside the drop zone but only on goal difference after scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Troyes at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Nicolas Pallois headed in a Ludovic Blas to put Les Canaris ahead midway through the first half, but his handball in the area allowed Mama Baldé to equalise with a penalty for the visitors after the break. Troyes then looked set to end a 14-game winless run and maybe even keep alive their slim survival hopes when Wilson Odobert put them ahead in the 92nd minute, but Evann Guessand scored at the end of a scramble in the box to snatch a point for the hosts.

Stade Brestois 29 finish the weekend in the bottom four, behind both Nantes and Strasbourg on goal difference, after having to settle for a 0-0 draw away at AC Ajaccio. That was despite the hosts having Yoann Touzghar sent off midway through the second half.

Toulouse FC prepared for next weekend’s Coupe de France final by winning 1-0 at FC Lorient thanks to a Zakaria Aboukhlal goal in the second half. That leaves them nine points above the drop zone and surely now safe.

Meanwhile, Saîf-Eddine Khaoui scored a late winner for Clermont Foot 63 as they beat OGC Nice 2-1 away to make it four successive victories. Muhammed Cham had given Clermont the lead at the Allianz Riviera before Gaëtan Laborde equalised for Nice. The south-coast side’s poor form continues after they went out of Europe in midweek.

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