Ligue 1: Angers Boost Survival Hopes with 2-0 Win Over Brest

Angers secured a vital 2-0 win over Brest to boost their Ligue 1 survival hopes and move clear of the relegation zone.

Angers secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Brest, revitalizing their Ligue 1 survival ambitions. This hard-fought win came at the expense of Brest, who suffered their fourth consecutive away league defeat – a dismal streak not experienced by the club since December 2019.

Despite Angers' struggles at home, where they had amassed a mere four points prior to this encounter, they faced a Brest side riding a three-match winning streak in all competitions. However, Esteban Lepaul turned the tables with a spectacular first-time finish, sweeping home Carlens Arcus's cross to give Alexandre Dujeux's side a surprise lead.

The second half was marked by a scarcity of quality, with the game's pattern suiting Angers' strategy of grinding out a crucial three points. Brest's attacking efforts remained uninspired, epitomized by Ludovic Ajorque's wayward header from a set-piece. Conversely, Angers showed little ambition to add to their first-half lead, resulting in a barren spell where neither team registered a shot on target until the final 20 minutes.

The game's decisive moment arrived when Ibrahima Niane sealed Angers' second home league win of the season, turning home Raolisoa's cross. A lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal, securing a vital three points for Alexandre Dujeux's side. This victory propelled Angers to 14th in the table, a point clear of Nantes in the relegation playoff spot. In contrast, Brest slipped to 12th, their impressive third-place finish last season now a distant memory.