Stade Brestois 1-0 Olympique Lyonnais

THE MATCH

It was a difficult start to the match for the incumbent Lyon manager Fabio Grosso. The first half saw Brest  completely dominate the opening chances, and within 25 minutes the Bretons had already struck the bar - Jérémy Le Douaron’s fizzed effort struck the upright following some clever work in the box by Pierre Lees-Melou. Several more chances came Les Pirates’ way, with a tirade of corners, and Le Douaron once again finding the target from a headed effort. 

Grosso started the match with a 4-1-4-1 formation, yet it was the home side who looked the more drilled, and much sharper in their intentions. Bradley Locko combined well with Le Douaron down Brest’s left side, where they found joy against Ernest Nuamah and Saël Kumbedi. Lyon soaked up the pressure, but had little themselves in terms of attacking chances - they headed into the break level at 0-0. 

A similar pattern of play continued at the start of the second half, so Grosso made his first bold decision with a triple change in the 50th minute. Tino Kaderwere, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Mama Baldé all entered the pitch as Lyon switched to a 4-4-2. 

However, Brest continued to push, as Pierre Lees-Melou’s mazy run caught out most of the Lyon defence before Lopes was at hand to save the Frenchman’s low strike. A shout for a penalty ensued in the following play, but it was waved away by referee Thomas Léonard. The hour mark saw Brest mere millimetres away from opening the scoring, Le Douaron stretching to tap in Del Castillo’s pin-point cross, which glanced past the left post of OL goalkeeper Lopes.

Lyon had glimpses of goal, yet it was Brest who were piling on the pressure. Steve Mounié entered the match and had an instant impact. Mounié headed one cross onto the post, but only seconds later was on hand to emphatically bury another pin-point delivery from Kenny Lala to put Brest into the lead (87’). Three points thus secured in front of a jubilant Breton crowd at the Stade Francis Le Blé, as Lyon's woes continue despite a managerial change. 

THE PLAYER: Steve Mounié 

The Frenchman entered the pitch late in the second half, and his physical presence was vital in piling on the pressure at the end of the game. Most importantly, he provided the finishing touch that was needed all match for Les Pirates to put his side ahead and top of the league.

THE STAT

Brest thus took the top spot of Ligue 1 Uber Eats for the first time since round 13 of the 2010-11 season. Regardless of results elsewhere this weekend, they will remain top at the end of Round 6.

>> OPINION: Can Fabio Grosso revive Lyon's fortunes?