Marseille struggles to beat Brest in French league

PARIS (AP) — Marseille moved level on points with Monaco at the top of the French league after laboring to a 2-0 home win against Brest on Saturday.

The host started well and quickly broke the deadlock from a free kick that Chancel Mbemba headed home from close range at the far post. But that goal did not help Marseille play with confidence as it struggled to create attacking moves.

Ismaila Sarr scored the second goal in the 65th minute.

Brest travelled to Marseille with confidence after winning its opening two games for the first time in the club’s history.

Led by an inspired Jeremy Le Douaron, Brest had the best chances of the first half without breaking the host’s solid defense at Stade Velodrome.

Le Douaron came close to leveling just after the interval, only for his header to be saved on the goal-line by defender Jonathan Clauss.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wasted a chance to double his team’s lead when alone near the penalty spot he missed the target.

Marseille managed just one shot on target at the hour mark but ultimately found an edge when Sarr scored his first goal in a Marseille shirt from the rebound after goalkeeper Marco Bizot failed to clear a cross.

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