Justice prevailed tonight in the Principality as Stade Rennais managed to battle from behind to draw with AS Monaco.
The match provided contrasting results and the eventual score line was a fair one with each team having long dominant spells. Bernardo Silva scored in the first-half to cement Monaco's early dominance, meanwhile Habib Habibou scored late on for Rennes to level.
Monaco implemented their dominance from kick-off without having any real chances, however they racked up 68% of match possession. However, it was to be Rennes who would have the better chances of the two teams.
Steven Moreira picked out the least obvious target in the small frame of Paul-Georges Ntep in the box, but the little winger couldn't direct his header towards goal.
Cut-backs were a mainstay in Rennes' play with the first coming from impressive build-up play. This ended with Pedro Henrique heading down to Abdoulaye Doucoure, but the unclinical midfielder lived up to his tag as he struck wide.
Monaco finally capitalized on Rennes as they looked like getting a foothold in the game. Mozambique international, Mexer, was caught by Bernardo Silva at the back, leaving the midfielder free reign to stick the ball past Benoit Costil at his near post.
The following passages of play tipped the game on its head. Mexer made up for his earlier mistake to put in a strong challenge to stop Berbabtov in a dangerous position. Furthermore, the Monaco back line showed slackness, forcing the goalkeeper, Subasic to take full control to clear the danger.
Rennes pushed for an equaliser before half time with the last chance coming from the Bretons. Sylvain Armand played a familiar perfect long ball that Ntep headed down to Ola Toivonen but the Swede couldn't get his shot on target.
The second half began like the first, slow with very little in the way of opportunities for either side. Fortunately for Rennes, the possession was spread more equally than in the first-half.
Pedro Henrique got the first big chance in front of goal in the second half, the Brazilian ended another promising Rennes attacking move by volleying the ball over the bar. Fortunately, the offside flag was raised.
Monaco believed they should have been awarded an important penalty kick as Yannick Carrasco went down in the box due to contact with Mexer. However, the referee's decision proved to be correct to wave the claim away as Carrasco seemed to force his fall onto Mexer.
Nevertheless, Martial had Monaco's best opportunity of the half to double their lead. The substitute in the centre of the pitch started his own counter-attack on the Rennes defence, however the Monaco star released the ball early and watched his shot go wide of the mark.
Kamil Grosicki replaced an ineffective Pedro Henrique midway into the second half. Grosicki had been influential in his cameo appearance in the Breton derby last week and was looking to repeat his impressive performance. The Polish international winger got himself involved immediately, playing in inviting crosses and cut-backs without any end product from the striker, Toivonen.
The unlikely figure of Sanjin Prcic would think he should have done better when he had a free header from the edge of the six -ard box easily collected by Subasic.
At the other end, Monaco's last chance of the match fell to Carrasco following Raggi's ball into the box. The Belgian winger was unfortunate to see his cleanly hit volley go wide.
It started to become evident that anything less than a point for Rennes would be disappointing with some fans starting to lose faith. However, up popped the fan's cult hero, Habib Habibou. The substitute striker finished off a Grosicki cut-back to send his doubters into disarray and jubilation.
Rennes get the point which keeps them above rivals, Nantes, meanwhile Monaco still fight to guarantee themselves a Champions League spot.
Monaco are in for an easy game on paper as they travel to Lens in their next game whereas Rennes may have a trickier tie at home to Nice.