FC Nantes  0 - 1  Stade Rennais FC 

Goal: 0-1 Da Silva (13')

THE MATCH

Nantes were looking for a first win at home against Rennes since 2005 and thought they had taken an early lead when Diego Carlos headed home from a Lima free-kick. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review for handball (7').

Instead, the opening goal came from another free-kick at the other end shortly after. Hatem Ben Arfa swung the ball in from the left and Da Silva rose to head home at the back post.

With Emiliano Sala enduring an off-day in the Nantes attack, the home side were unable to find an equalising goal and saw their unbeaten record at the Stade de la Beaujoire since the appointment of Vahid Halilhodžić as coach in October come to an end.

The hosts did almost equalise just before the midway point in the second half, but Anthony Limbombe's diving header from a Majeed Waris cross came back off the post. Waris also missed a good chance in front of Tomáš Koubek as Rennes held on.

They remain unbeaten in the league since the appointment of Julien Stéphan as coach, winning four on the bounce. This result gets them back on track after their Coupe de la Ligue quarter-final loss to AS Monaco on penalties and moves them six points clear of their rivals in the table.

THE PLAYER: Damien Da Silva

The defender does it again! He also scored an 89th-minute winner when Rennes beat Nantes 2-1 at home in the Coupe de la Ligue just before the winter break.

THE STAT: 11

Rennes are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Nantes in Ligue 1. It is 14 years and counting since they lost away to Les Canaris.