(Ligue 1 2022/2023): Highlights Toulouse - Rennes

Toulouse were looking to make it five wins from six across all competitions when they clashed with Rennes at the Stadium de Toulouse in Sunday's lunchtime kick-off. They also had a successful evening in the Coup de France on Wednesday when they knocked out Reims, bouncing back from their loss to a Lionel Messi-inspired PSG last weekend. Rennes, meanwhile, have had the full week to prepare for their trip to the southwest, or perhaps to stew over a frustrating 3-1 loss to Lille. They dug able to turn the match around despite Amin Gouiri's goal just 26 seconds into the match. Maybe their opponents, who would strike first on this occasion, Zakaria Abouklel, with a nice ball through to Farid Chouiby. A shot parried by Steve Mandanda, but slowly finding its way to the post. And Rafael Ratao there to dink the ball into an empty net. Brazilian doing well to react to the rebound. Coolly lifting the ball over the outstretched leg with Tottenham loanee right back Jed Spence. And the hosts would double their lead 10 seconds after the restart. Mata Teat slipping and Toulouse taking full advantage. Almost a case of déjà vu in the southwest of France. Chouiby's shot parried and this time Abouklel there to turn home the rebound. Initially ruled out by the linesman, but VAR showing the Morocco international was clearly onside in the goal given. Things would get worse still for Rennes, in control for much of the opening stages. Again giving the ball away and Toulouse again lethal on the counter. Abouklel racing down the right, picking out Thijs de Linge in the middle. And easy as you like, 3-0. Four goals in four games for the Dutch 22-year-old. Three goals in 10 minutes for TSA. Rennes desperate to strike back before the break, saw Jeremy Doku cut an effort onto the bar, but it was 3-0 at halftime. Toulouse had won just five of their previous 16 top flight home games against Rennes, joining eight of the nine before that. But perhaps the tide turning back towards that older form here. With a ray of hope in regards to turning the tide in this game, which Rennes narrowly missed out on before the break, would come 10 minutes after it. Doku causing trouble in the box again, and his cross into the corridor of uncertainty produced an uncertain moment for Anthony Rouault. The young centre-back deflecting the ball into his own net. Began to look like it might be the start of a turnaround as 17-year-old Désiré Doué tested his almost namesake in the Toulouse goal, Dupé. But it was the hosts who would go the closest to another goal. First substitute Denis Jeannerot striking the post. And then immediately from the rebound, Abouklaou doing the same. It wouldn't matter though. 3-1 the final score. Back-to-back defeats. César Rennes slip outside of the top five. Whilst another win means if Toulouse are paying attention to either end of the table, it will now more likely be those European spots in the relegation zone.