BREST: Montpellier ruthlessly ended Brest’s six-match winning run in Ligue 1 after a 4-0 win at the Brittany club on Saturday.

Montpellier’s third straight win extended their unbeaten record against Brest in the top flight, and lifted Olivier Dall’Oglio’s players to fourth in the standings. Brest are 12th in the standings, four points behind Montpellier.

Brest played with pace in the first half but could not convert their chances and were punished just before the interval as Elye Wahi headed home a a cross from Teji Savanier.

Montpellier striker Stephy Mavididi made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half with a superb half-volley. Junior Sambia gave more lustre to the win at the hour mark and Valere Germain completed the rout five minutes from time with a shot to goalkeeper Marco Bizot’s right side.

In his first match in charge, interim coach Julien Sable could not turn last-placed St Etienne’s fortunes around at Reims. St Etienne were reduced to 10 men just before the interval when Denis Bouanga was dismissed and lost 2-0.

Hugo Ekitike was instrumental in Reims’ win, first provoking a penalty converted by El Bilal Toure before assisting Nathanal Mbuku for his team’s second goal.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2021