Marseille squandered a 2-0 lead over Strasbourg to draw 2-2 last weekend in their first match after the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, and although the visitors dominated possession in the early stages here, they struggled to create chances and were duly punished when Ludovic Ajorque gave Brest a 10th-minute lead.
A poor Benjamin Pavard clearance only went as far as Hugo Magnetti, whose cross deflected off the back of Arthur Vermeeren and was met by Ajorque, who headed in despite Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli getting something on it.
Marseille looked stunned after going behind and things could’ve soon worsened when Ajorque fired wide, while at the other end, Mason Greenwood’s cross-shot narrowly evaded Amine Gouiri.
Brest were in dreamland, though, on 29 minutes when Ajorque rose to meet another Magnetti cross, nodding in off Rulli’s right-hand post for his third goal in as many games.
Brest’s confidence was sky-high, with Junior Dina Ebimbe and young defender Junior Diaz soon going close before Ajorque thundered a hat-trick chance off the bar, leaving Beye with an almighty team-talk on his hands at half-time.
Beye threw on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Arthur Vermeeren ahead of the second period, yet Brest remained defensively resolute despite being unable to venture forward as often.
Home goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert smartly beat away Quinten Timber’s drive from distance shortly before the hour mark, while Rulli still needed to be on his toes, with Dina Ebimbe’s strike bringing the best out of Marseille’s goalkeeper.
Coudert was then breathing a sigh of relief as Gouiri’s hanging header dropped wide.
Ethan Nwaneri was one of two players introduced by Beye on 71 minutes, but he was unable to sufficiently influence proceedings, and Marseille’s dismal night was summed up late on when Mason Greenwood was brought down by Daouda Guindo for a penalty, only for Ligue 1’s leading scorer this season to see his spot-kick superbly saved by Coudert.
A fifth win in six home games lifts Brest up to 11th and temporarily within four points of the top five, while Marseille will be looking to regroup in the fight for Champions League football against Lyon next Sunday.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ludovic Ajorque (Brest)