Own goal gifts Toulouse victory

Toulouse climbed to fourth in Ligue 1 with a hard-fought win over Rennes today, with an own goal from Romain Danze settling the outcome. Both sides began the day on 44 points, but Toulouse climbed above their opponents and moved up three places thanks to the unfortunate Danze's mishap a minute before the interval. The visitors thought they had taken the lead half an hour earlier when Adrien Regattin's shot was touched in by team-mate Emmanuel Riviere, but the celebrations were cut short thanks to a linesman's flag being raised for offside. Rennes took a while to get going and it was not until the 24th minute that Mevlut Erding went close with a powerful header from Yacine Brahimi's corner which flew just over the bar. At the other end, Riviere flashed a volley just wide of the post following good build-up play from Paulo Machado and Etienne Didot, before Riviere missed an excellent chance to open the scoring on 38 minutes, failing to find the target after being set up by an error from Rennes goalkeeper Benoit Costil. Danze disaster Toulouse goalkeeper Ali Ahamada then made a routine save from Brahimi before what turned out to be the only goal of the game arrived in the 44th minute. Christophe Aurier found Riviere in space 20 yards from goal and his shot deflected off Danze and past Costil to give Toulouse the lead. Buoyed by their stroke of fortune, the visitors also started the second half strongly and Costil was called into action to save from Didot and Riviere in quick succession, the latter an excellent reflex stop. Rennes continued to search for an equaliser and Jires Ekoko brought a good save from Ahamada before Riviere went close to a second for Toulouse with a header from Machado's cross which was just over the bar. Ekoko had the last real chance for Rennes to claim a point after being picked out by Jonathan Pitroipa, but his shot was diverted for a corner and the visitors held on.