M'Vila sparkles again

Yann M'Vila grabbed a stunning late winner as Rennes ended the unbeaten start of Bastia with a 3-2 victory.

Yann M'Vila showed why several of Europe's top clubs want to sign him with a stunning late winner as Rennes ended the unbeaten start of Bastia and got their own season kick-started by beating the 10-man visitors 3-2 in a dramatic match. Rennes, who came into the game on the back of two defeats, led through Romain Alessandrini's 21st-minute opener but were soon pegged back by Francois Marque. The hosts led again through Jonathan Pitroipa five minutes before half-time, only for Sylvain Marchal to level again in the 74th minute, even after Bastia had had Araujo Ilan sent off. But when M'Vila fired in an outstanding third from long range, Bastia were finally defeated. Rennes had the ball in the net after only five minutes, but Mevlut Erding's effort was ruled out for offside. Anthony Modeste had a good chance for the visitors in the 19th minute but Benoit Costil gathered the ball at the second attempt. Moments later, Alessandrini had Rennes in front, capping a fine counter-attack as he beat one defender before lashing the ball home. Bastia needed seven minutes to level, with Marque firing in following a corner. Alessandrini turned provider as Rennes snatched the lead back before the break, with his pin-point pass allowing Pitropia to slot home. Magno Macedo Novaes made a fine save to keep out Erding's header from an Alessandrini free-kick, but the game changed moments later when Ilan was shown a second yellow card, this time for dissent after he had earned his first for a foul on Pitropia. Novaes just about kept out a powerful long-range drive from Alessandrini moments later, but it was Bastia who were able to reduce the arrears with the next goal. Khazri Wahbi whipped in a free-kick from a long way out and Marchal was on hand to head home. Novaes punched away Victor Hugo Montano's powerful effort moments later, but Rennes got their winner seven minutes from time with a stunning goal from the in-demand M'Vila, who found the net from fully 35 yards.