Led by the score from the third minute by the Haut-Savoyards, Didier Santini's protégés overturned the duel in the first half, before producing a real festival after returning from the locker room (5-1), during the 13th day of Ligue 2.
What a festival! In an initially very close duel against Annecy, Rodez reversed the balance of power before scoring three goals in eight minutes, while destroying the Haute-Savoie hopes (5-1).
The visitors did not wait long to launch the hostilities: in the 3rd minute, Trevis Dago pushed the ball with his head to receive an Annecian free kick (0-1). Rodez tried to respond immediately, in vain. And Ruthenian captain Hakim Abdallah spared no effort, offering his team a shot in the side net (18th) and superb crosses… until one of them ended up paying.
In the 23rd minute, Annecy captain Ahmed Kashi put his foot down to try to repel Abdallah's cross, but he finally sent the ball into the back of his own net (1-1). Rodez's offensive dynamic was reflected on the scoreboard. The visitors didn't let up either: at the half-hour mark, a save from Lionel Mpasi followed by a save on the line from Joris Chougrani allowed the Aveyronnais to hold off Annecy.
And less than five minutes later, Timothé Nkada and Rodez reversed the duel. The blood and gold striker collected a powerful through ball from Mohamed Bouchouari, slipped between the two Haut-Savoie central defenders and struck at the edge of the area to give the reins of the match to his team (2-1).
Returning from the locker room, the two teams were still close. Rodez still led the score but Annecy pushed. And it was just after an interesting opportunity for the visitors that the locals widened the gap… by two additional goals. Ibrahima Baldé launched the sequence which warmed up the 4,385 spectators of Paul-Lignon at the entrance to the area, in the center (3-1, 68th), before Timothé Nkada signed a double two minutes later (4-1, 70th).
And it wasn't over! After a foul from Annecy to the left of the area, Bouchouari added his touch to the Ruthenian festival by scoring the fifth blood and gold goal… with a direct free kick (5-1, 76th). His third since the start of the season!
With this success, Raf climbs from 15th to 11th place. And while waiting for the three matches on Saturday, the Ruthenois have moved to the top of the championship attack ranking thanks to the five goals scored this evening.
