Two sparkling first-half headers from Ludovic Ajok helped Brest win 2-0 at home, while Marseille got off to a rocky start under new coach Habib Beye in their Ligue 1 clash on Friday.
Former Marseille captain Beye only succeeded Roberto De Zerbi on Wednesday at one of France’s best-supported clubs.
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After a journey of some 1,276 kilometers (800 miles) from the Mediterranean coast to the western tip of Brittany on the Atlantic Ocean, Marseille dominates passing and possession. But a winless fourth game damaged their push for Europe.
Brest’s 6ft 5in (1.96m) center Ayoke opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a towering header and repeated the feat just before the half-hour mark.
Mason Greenwood was Marseille’s best player but when he won a penalty in the 81st minute, Brest goalkeeper Grégoire Coudet looked the right way and saved.
Marseille are fourth in Ligue 1 with 40 points, five points behind third-placed Lyon, the last of three direct Champions League places.
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Lyon travel to Strasbourg on Sunday with a 13-game winning streak, seven of which have come in Ligue 1.
Leaders Lens have won their last 10 home games in Ligue 1 and victory against Monaco on Saturday will set a new club record of 11.
PSG, one point behind second-placed Lens, host bottom-placed Metz on Saturday.
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