After knocking out Marseille in the Coupe de France earlier this season, Savoy outfit Annecy have pulled off another major exploit, putting an end to Ligue 2 leaders Le Havre’s 32-match unbeaten run with a 1-0 win on Monday night.
Despite dominating possession, Luka Elsner’s men would concede the only goal of the game, a header from Kevin Mouanga. An impressive performance from goalkeeper Florian Escales would keep Le Havre at bay – to the point of frustrating forward Jamal Thiaré, who was sent off late on for confronting opposition fans.
Had they won, Le Havre would have beaten the all-time record for an unbeaten run in French football’s top two divisions, having equalled the 32 games of Nantes in 1994/95 and Sedan in 1954/55.
The Normandy side remain five points clear at the top of the second tier, and in pole position for a return to the top flight after a decade of near-misses in their quest for promotion.
Three games remain in the season, with Bordeaux currently occupying second place – the only over promotion spot – just one point ahead of Metz. Les Girondins, who narrowly avoided dropping out of professional football altogether last summer due to administrative sanctions, are the favourites to secure a swift return to Ligue 1.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
