Standout star carries Auxerre past Angers | OneFootball

Sekou Mara struck in the 12th minute with a left-footed finish to set Auxerre on their way to a 3-1 win over Angers. The forward later added a second and supplied another to settle it.

The opener came from a classic striker's run to the back post, where Mara steered it in from the left side of the six-yard box. His movement across the near defender created the angle and set the tone.

In the first minute of first half stoppage time, Angers' Amine Sbaï received a second yellow and was sent off. After the restart, Mara rifled a right-footed finish into the top right from the centre of the area (61.). He then released Lassine Sinayoko on a fast break to add further daylight (67.).

Mara's influence was broad as well as decisive: four attempts, three on target, three successful dribbles, six possessions won and three aerials won. The numbers underline how he combined penalty-box threat with graft, linking play and finishing moves.

With space opening once Angers went a man down, his runs between centre-back and full-back repeatedly pulled the visitors' line apart, ensuring Auxerre controlled the key phases after the interval.

Auxerre host Nice next. Angers face Strasbourg next.