Brest edge Metz to cement second place in Ligue 1

Brest came from behind to take a dramatic 4-3 win at home to struggling Metz on Sunday to shore up their second place in Ligue 1, while Monaco ground out a win over Rennes to move back into third and one point behind Brest.

Brest are 10 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain but four points clear of Lille, who lie just outside the automatic Champions League qualification spots in fourth.

"After going behind, we came back with some good football. And then there was that last quarter of an hour... but it was a good lesson to learn," said Brest coach Eric Roy.

"We can't relax too much, and we have to keep our wits about us right to the end. We saw the best and the worst of Brest, but in the end we won."

Ismael Traore gave the visitors an early lead but Brest hit back with goals from Brendan Chardonnet, Kamory Doumbia and Steve Mounie giving them a 3-1 cushion at halftime.

Martin Satriano added a fourth on the hour to make a home win appear a certainty.

Metz, who are second-bottom five points from safety, hit back, however, with two goals in six minutes from Georges Mikautadze making it a nervous final 10 minutes for Brest.

PSG remained on target for the title in spite of being held to a 1-1 draw at home by struggling Clermont on Saturday.

Mindful of their Champions League meeting with Barcelona next week, PSG fielded a shadow side which needed a Goncalo Ramos equaliser with just five minutes remaining.

MONACO TAKE THIRD

A sole Maghnes Akliouche strike midway through the first half was enough to give Monaco home victory over Rennes, with both sides finishing the encounter reduced to 10 men.

The 22-year-old midfielder sent the Principality side third in Ligue 1 with a composed left-footed finish in the 25th minute after being teed up