Rennes 1-0 Guingamp | Match Report
Stade Rennais continued their winning streak at home this season as they defeated local rivals EA Guingamp thanks to a last minute goal.
After missing a penalty, which resulted in a sending off for the away side, it was a sigh of relief for the Roazhon Park faithful when Adama Diakhaby prodded in a cut back in added time.
Fresh from a humiliating defeat last week away at league new boys Dijon, Rennes looked to the derby as a means of getting back on track with positive results corresponding with better performances.
Also off the back of a defeat, Guingamp hoped that an away win at their neighbours would give them a comfortable gap of four points between them.
Action starved first period
Chances were few and far between in the first half with Rennes predictably dominating the possession at their home ground.
It was the away side who had arguably the best chance of the half when an effective offensive ended with Thibault Giresse's shot from the centre of the box going well over the bar.
At the other end, Paul-Georges Ntep was lively down the left as he is on his way back to being 100%. However, his attempted cut backs were not turned into the net by a team mate.
Second half sucker punch seals it
The second half provided a better spectacle for the neutral but it didn't kick properly into fifth gear until the 64th minute when Ntep was dragged to the ground by Mustapha Diallo inside the box.
The fouler was subsequently sent off by the surprisingly cheery referee Nicholas Rainville.
Polish international Kamil Grosicki was tasked with the spot kick but was unable to beat Karl-Johan Johnsson from 12 yards.
Just 10 minutes before the regulatory 90, Guingamp, now a man lighter, could have taken the bragging rights. Unfortunately, Yannis Salibur was unable to take advantage of the three man onslaught on Benoit Costil's goal.
Just when it seemed all hope was gone for Christian Gourcuff's 100% league record this season, up popped young Adama Diakhaby to continue it after he converted from close range after receiving a Grosicki cut back.
The 20-year-old ran off to celebrate with the fans, leaving his opponents wondering what had hit them.
The win puts Rennes 7th on the Ligue 1 table momentarily, while Guingamp remain stuck on 9th.
