Brest bounces back against Nice

Brest bounced back from their cup disappointment to beat struggling Nice 1-0 on Saturday.

Brest lost 2-0 to Third Division Chamois Niortais last weekend but were 1-0 up inside five minutes through Eden Ben Basat, and that proved enough for victory.

Nice put up a good fight and twice hit the woodwork but, after a decent run of form which had seen them go unbeaten in three in all competitions, dropped back into the relegation zone.

It was a terrible start for Nice, who found themselves behind after five minutes.

Romain Poyet advanced down the right and pulled the ball back for Ben Basat, who curled a low shot past David Ospina.

Brest continued to press and Ben Basat sought a second, beating Francois Clerc and surging towards the box before seeing his shot saved by Ospina after 12 minutes.

The goalkeeper was on hand again three minutes later to fist clear a powerful 30-yard free kick from Bruno Grougi.

Nice finally came into the game and Anthony Mounier saw his shot saved by Steve Elena, then, just before the half-hour mark, thumped a 20-yard strike against the bar.

Nice came out firing for the second half and Fabrice Abriel released the impressive Mounier, whose low drive was blocked by Elana.

After 57 minutes David Hellebuyck latched onto a poor clearance from the Brest defence and smacked a sweet volley against the post.

After that the visitors' challenge faded somewhat and Brest could have extended their lead, but Ospina saved from Grougi and Ben Basat late one.