One point adrift of the relegation zone despite a recent upturn in form in Ligue 1, Brest started as the better side up against Lens, who most recently suffered just their second domestic loss of the season against OGC Nice. Lens’ record as the best defensive side in the league spoke for itself in the first half, as Brice Samba remained relatively untested in the visiting goal.
Instead it was Marco Bizot who was presented with the toughest goalkeeping task in the first half, proving alert when Deiver Machado fired an effort goalwards inside the area. It seemed for the world as though Machado would be wheeling away in celebration, but Bizot reacted superbly to palm away at his near post, before denying Julien Le Cardinal’s header and Loïs Openda’s strike from range.
It wasn’t until the start of the second half that Samba was forced into action, diving to prevent Steve Mounie from finding the opening goal of the game when one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Mounie’s chance was part of an impressive start to the half by Brest though, and they soon found the first goal of the game as a result. It came courtesy of Le Douaron, as the winger was perfectly placed to slide the ball home at the back post following Pierre Lees-Melou’s inch-perfect pass in the 54th minute.
Lens reacted to going behind well, but as was the case before HT, Bizot was there once again to deny the visitors, this time keeping Abdul Samed’s effort out. The goalkeeper soon threw all of his hard work away, however, misjudging an initial effort to allow Jonathan Gradit to smash home in the 84th minute in a moment to forget for Bizot. Consequently, the game ended level to leave Brest just two points adrift of the relegation zone, and Lens only outside the top-two on goal difference.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pierre Lees-Melou (Stade Brestois)
