Le Havre’s smart deals and youth lift survival bid after Strasbourg win | OneFootball

Le Havre’s 2-1 defeat of Strasbourg delivered a timely push in their fight to stay up, underlining shrewd recruitment and academy output. The result rewarded months of graft.

The victory left HAC 13th with a nine-point cushion over Auxerre in the play-off spot and Nantes in the drop zone. According to L'Équipe, players and supporters shared a rare full-time salute, their first of the season.

Sofiane Boufal earned and took the corner on 26 minutes, and Stephan Zagadou headed in. At 17 years and 107 days, he became Le Havre’s youngest Ligue 1 scorer since 1947-48 and the first defender born in 2008 or later to net in Europe’s top five leagues.

Issa Soumaré then drew a 29th-minute red card for Ismaël Doukouré, having earlier missed chances. After four months without a goal and two successive penalty misses, against Paris FC 0-0 and at Lyon 0-1, he finally struck.

Winter arrivals also made an impact. Lucas Gourna-Douath has added power and poise, while Boufal’s technique shone as he led the match with 73 touches, hurting Strasbourg with dribbles and passes.

Resources are tight, with no transfer fees paid across the last five windows and a DNCG-supervised wage bill. Yet the pipeline thrives, as shown by the 2-1 win over Angers, decided by academy pair Kenny Quetant and Noam Obougou.

Full-back Enzo Koffi, 19, impressed on his first Ligue 1 start. Didier Digard said the season remains long and asked for cool heads, but allowed his players to savour a win.

Source: L'Équipe