Stade Rennais FC 1 - 0 Metz - Ntep goal enough for win

Posted Sunday, March 08, 2015 by PA

Paul-Georges Ntep's first-half strike was enough to give Rennes back-to-back wins with a 1-0 triumph over Ligue 1's bottom side Metz.

Ntep struck after just 20 minutes and that was enough for the hosts, although Metz will feel hard done by after hitting both a post and the crossbar at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.

The win takes Rennes, who ended a 10-game winless streak with a 1-0 win over Lens last week, up to eighth, while Metz are now nine points off safety and in danger of being completely cut adrift.

Albert Cartier's basement dwellers, who are now without a win in 16 games, actually started strongly and crafted the first real chance on goal in the ninth minute.

It fell to West Ham loanee Modibo Maiga after good work from Sylvain Marchal and the Mali international did well to control and get the shot away, but Rennes keeper Benoit Costil was equal to it.

Eleven minutes later the hosts got the crucial breakthrough thanks to a well-worked team goal.

Abdoulaye Doucoure whipped the ball into the box after being unleashed by Ola Toivonen and Ntep was on hand to smash it past Metz keeper Johann Carrasso, whose evening got worse when he had to go off injured shortly after.

Ntep twice came close to doubling his tally before the break, but substitute keeper David Oberhauser showed great reactions to repel his curled shot from the edge of the box and then stop a close-range header a few minutes later.

Maiga almost set Metz off to a perfect start in the second half, but his powerful header ricocheted back off a post with Costil beaten.

There was further frustration for the beleaguered visitors when ex-Chelsea winger Florent Malouda showed a glimpse of his talents with a curled effort from distance that smashed off the bar, with Costil once again beaten.

Metz continued to ask questions but found it hard to break down the hosts and a snapshot free-kick from Ntep in stoppage time, which hit a post, emphasised how important it is for them to take their chances when they are on top.