Clément Grenier capped a fine display with a stunning free-kick that paved the way for En Avant Guingamp's 2-1 win over Girondins de Bordeaux on Sunday.
En Avant Guingamp 2-1 Girondins de Bordeaux
THE MATCH
Neither side came into the match with much ambition or form: Guingamp had one win in ten, Bordeaux were winless in five. The home side settled quicker, but it was their goalkeeper, Karl-Johan Johnsson who made the first save of the game, tipping over Lukas Lerager's first-time drive (26').
The Swede's opposite number, Benoît Costil, comfortably held a Moustapha Diallo header (36') and kicked away a Jimmy Briand shot at his near post (41') to keep the visitors in the hunt at the break.
Grenier had shown the classiest touches of the first half, and his eye-catching swivel and crisp shot that sent the ball flashing just wide of Costil's goal early in the second half (51') was another to add to the collection.
They were all surpassed though by a trademark set-piece from the former Lyon midfielder, whose ability has been undimmed by three difficult years of injury. Costil can attest to that after watching the five-time France international arrow a 20-metre free-kick into the top corner (55').
Johnsson saves
Four minutes later, Diallo drove home from the edge of the box (59') and Guingamp, who had last won at their Stade Municipal de Roudourou just before Christmas, were cruising.
Bordeaux had failed to score in four of their last five league games, but they denied the hosts' a clean sheet after Jordan Ikoko handled inside his own penalty area. Malcom, prone inside the six-yard box, swept the ball into the net in the scramble that had followed Johnsson saving his spot-kick (80').
The Brazilian had already tested the Guingamp 'keeper (77') and Johnsson also proved equal to a header from former Guingamp man Younousse Sankharé and the follow-up from Gaëtan Laborde (82') to preserve his team's advantage.
THE PLAYER: Clément Grenier
The France international moved to Brittany in January in a bid to kickstart his career, and he is doing so. A Rolls Royce of a midfielder, he showed his quality on the ball once again, and added a superb goal, his second in as many home games.
THE STAT: 13
Bordeaux have not drawn any of their last 13 away games in Ligue 1 Conforama. This was their ninth defeat in that run.