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Goals from John Utaka and Alexander Frei gave Rennes a 2-1 victory over bottom side Metz at the Stade de la Route de Lorient on Saturday.
Metz Coach Joël Muller would seem to be on borrowed time now after his side registered their seventh consecutive defeat, while Rennes put their midweek Coupe de la Ligue elimination at the hads of second division Montpellier behind them with a gritty performance.
After Utaka saw an early chance saved by Grégory Wimbée in the Metz goal, Rennes deservedly went ahead just after the quarter-hour mark. Utaka set Frei away down the right and the Switzerland striker picked out his Nigerian partner with the cross for a simple finish.
The second half was more one-way traffic and only the heroics of Wimbée kept his side in the match.
But Rennes didn't have to wait long before making the game safe. Utaka raced clear down the left and centred for Frei who controlled, turned and finally side-footed the ball past the hapless Metz custodian on 57 minutes.
Completely out-played, Metz had to wait until stoppage time and a well-taken volley from Hervé Tum at the front post, to register just fifth goal in 13 games.
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