Metz 1 : 2 Evian Thonon Gaillard - Sunu wins it for Evian

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2015 by PA

Evian secured another crucial victory in their battle for Ligue 1 survival against bottom side Metz.

After wins over fellow strugglers Toulouse and Lens in recent weeks, the 2-1 victory lifted them out of the bottom three and deepened Metz's gloom.

An own goal from goalkeeper Johann Carrasso put Evian ahead in the 29th minute but Bouna Sarr levelled on the stroke of half-time.

However, Gilles Sunu scored the all-important third goal with 17 minutes remaining.

The first chance did not arrive until the 26th minute, when a poor clearance from Metz allowed Adrien Thomasson to curl a shot narrowly wide.

But the hosts did not learn their lesson and shot themselves in the foot three minutes later.

Sunu's cross was missed by Mathieu Duhamel, to the surprise of Carrasso, who could only punch the ball into his own net.

Metz responded with a shot from Sarr that was blocked by Benjamin Leroy, but the keeper was helpless in the 45th minute as Sarr finished off a fine move to equalise.

Carrasso went some way towards making amends for his howler with a brilliant save from Duhamel's volley seven minutes into the second half.

Metz looked the side more likely to find a winner and Romain Metanire was twice unlucky with shots, the second of which hit the bar.

But it was Evian who took full advantage of their stroke of fortune with a 73rd-minute winner.

Again Metz contributed to their own downfall with sloppy play in defence that allowed Clarck N'Sikulu to play in Thomasson, whose cross picked out Sunu for a simple finish.