Jérémy Doku hit a 10-minute brace as Stade Rennais beat Stade de Reims 3-0 at Roazhon Park on Saturday to pull into a provisional fifth in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
Stade Rennais FC 3-0 Stade de Reims
THE MATCH
Doku looked lively from the off and opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes after what was already his second foray into the Reims box, drilling a low shot beyond Yehvann Diouf (9'). Doku then doubled his and his side's tally in a similar fashion, only this time after some smart interplay with Birger Meling (19'). Benjamin Bourigeaud then tried his luck from range, but Diouf was equal to his effort, turning it around the post for a corner (27'). Lesley Ugochukwu then hit the post from close range (32') as Rennes piled on the pressure. It wasn't until the end of the half that Reims mustered their first shot on goal, with Marshall Munetsi skipping past Arthur Theate and letting fly, but Steve Mandanda saved instinctively with his foot (41') and it was 2-0 at the break.
Rennes quell fightback
Rennes nearly pulled further clear immediately after the restart when Amine Gouiri found space in the box and shot, but Diouf saved in instalments (46'). Yunis Abdelhamid had been culpable for that chance but the Reims captain tried to make amends soon after, heading Maxime Busi's cross narrowly wide (56'). Reims enjoyed a good spell towards the hour and their 18-goal top scorer Folarin Balogun nearly made it 19 but blazed wide from metres out (60'). Bourigeaud then hit the post with a free-kick at the other end (67') before Theate made it three, forcing the ball home after Gouri had cut the ball back across goal (69'). Désiré Doué tried to add further gloss to the scoreline late on but Diouf kept out his shot and it ended 3-0.
THE PLAYER: Jérémy Doku
Doku earned comparisons with former LOSC and Belgium superstar Eden Hazard earlier in his career, but has hitherto failed to add the end product to go alongside his electric speed and dribbling skills. But performances like today's are why he was once the envy of almost every major club in Europe.
THE STAT: 23
Rennes had 23 shots at Reims' goal compared to just four coming the other way. The Bretons pull into the fifth and final European qualification place with the win, at least until LOSC play Montpellier Hérault SC on Sunday. It is nothing if not deserved after this comprehensive performance.
