Stade Rennais ran out their third Breton Derby on the trot by defeating neighbours, EA Guingamp in a feisty encounter.
A full house gathered at Guingamp's Stade du Roudourou, as the home side tried to help their cause of avoiding a relegation position, whilst Rennes were trying to sustain a higher place near the top of Ligue 1.
The match started off with both teams trying to settle themselves into what was Rennes' third derby in a row. However, it was to be their opponents who were to have the first shots on goal- forcing goalkeeper, Benoit Costil, to fumble a long range effort from Claude Beauvue.
The away side didn't trouble opposing keeper, Jonas Lössl, as their first shot at goal came as a result of a poorly cleared corner, which fell to Cheikh M'Bengue, who could only hit a rising shot from far out. Rennes pushed on and got to grips with the game soon after and would have been content with their play.
Ola Toivonen, back from injury, had Rennes' first chance at a scoring opportunity when he met a sublime delivery from Romain Danze from the far side. Unfortunately, the Swede's side footed effort was directed straight at Lössl.
In a similar position, on-loan Newcastle midfielder, Sylvain Marveaux, met a cut-back but was unable to force the ball goalwards and was always rising. This began a series of nothingness in the game with zero coming in the way of opportunities for either side.
The lull was interrupted with its best cure, a goal. Rennes had opened the scoring in the 37th minute as Abdoulaye Doucoure managed to wriggle his way into a one on one position; Lössl managed to get a touch on it; the ball trickled towards an empty net but was poorly cleared; Ntep picked the ball up and hit it straight by the players on the line. The match went from tiresome to tremendous in a matter of minutes for the away side.
Guingamp tried for an instant leveler but were unsuccessful as a half chance was deflected for a corner. The follow up from the corner resulted in Guingamp's best chance of the game as Beauvue managed to leap above Mexer and Danze to get his head on a cross from 6 yards- unfortunately going over the bar.
Goalscorer, Paul-Georges Ntep managed to get himself in a few scuffles with his opponents and was venting his frustrations as the first half drew to a close. The last piece of action of the half was a Marveaux freekick from close range which hit the wall and out for a corner. As the teams went in at the break, Ntep became more animated and had to be assisted to the dressing room.
Guingamp were first out for the start of the second half- captain, Thibault Griesse, gave a major prep-talk to his players who were huddled around him. The second half started just like the first did, with both teams sharing possession. Sylvain Marveaux had the first shot of the half as he beat Sylvain Armand to the byline and managed to get a shot away from an acute angle. Costil was equal to the shot and palmed it out for a corner.
Beauvue, who was Guingamp's best means of a goal, directed a volley from close range over the bar- showing his frustration as it flew over Costil. The Guingamp playmaker was Rennes' target man as he was singled out for rough play by the away side- Mexer, Danze and Fernandes all being booked in quick succession for fouls on him.
Rennes had a penalty call waved away by the referee as Ntep broke away on a counter-attack, leaving the opposing defenders behind him. As the winger trid to cut back inside, Diallo appeared to trip him with a trailing leg, but it was not deemed enough for a penalty.
Toivonen had the best opportunity to increase his side's lead when a slack backpass from the defenders managed to find Toivonen. The Swede was alert to the error and ran with the ball to just outside the box, however he made the wrong decision by trying to chip the goalkeeper who got fingertips to it- diverting it for a corner.
That was to be Toivonen's last piece of action in the game as he was replaced for Hiabib Habibou in a like-for-like change up front. Habibou got himself involved immidiately as he drove into the box, but couldn't find the space required to get a shot away as Jérémy Sorbon pressed well.
Guingamp's best chance to get a leveller arrived after an onslaught of close attacks from the homeside, which came to an anti-climactic end when a waiting Lars Jacobsen struck the ball well over the bar from around twelve yards. Rennes had a fantastic attempt of their own go to waste thanks to the heroics of Jonas Lössl, who managed to show great reflexes to save a Mexer header from 6 yards. Rennes ran the clock down as Guingamp unsuccesfully pushed on to equal the scoring.
Guingamp travel to Evian in an important next match, whilst Rennes host AS Monaco.