Angers took a big step toward Ligue 1 survival with a determined 2-0 victory over Brest, who suffered their fourth consecutive away league defeat for the first time since 2019.
The Black and Whites, who had struggled at home with just four points all season, stunned their resurgent opponents early on. Esteban Lepaul opened the scoring with a brilliant first-time finish from Carlens Arcus’ cross. He thought he’d doubled the lead minutes later, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Brest, coming off a three-match winning streak in all competitions, struggled to find rhythm in a lackluster first half. They came close through Abdallah Sima and Abdoulaye Ndiaye but lacked the finishing touch. Lepaul nearly added a second for Angers before the break but shot wide from close range.
The second half offered little quality, with Angers focused on preserving their lead and Brest failing to threaten. Ludovic Ajorque’s tame header summed up the visitors’ blunt attack. Angers sealed the win late on when Ibrahima Niane turned in a cross from Raolisoa, with VAR confirming the goal.
The victory lifts Angers to 14th, a point clear of the relegation playoff spot, while Brest slip to 12th, far removed from last season’s third-place finish.
