Tunisia Ligue 1: Late goals and red card drama as Espérance fall to defeat

Photo Credit: Club Athlétique Bizertin 

Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle leaders Espérance ST went down in dramatic fashion on Saturday at the hands of CA Bizertin, who found the winning goal thirteen minutes into second half stoppage time in a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

EST saw their ten-match unbeaten run snapped by the Sharks, who earned all three points after Senegalese defender Abdou Seydi converted from the penalty spot following a red card given to EST's Khalil Guenichi for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Ten minutes earlier, Koussay Smiri was also sent off for the visitors who ended the match with nine players.

There was plenty of drama even before the thrilling conclusion to the match. An own goal from Espérance goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche opened the scoring before EST leveled early in the second half through former Monastir forward Chiheb Jebali, his first goal for EST. The crucial moment that changed the course of the match arrived after the hour mark when EST defender Mohamed Amine Tougai's penalty kick was saved by CAB goalkeeper Moataz Hanzouli following a long VAR review.

The EST defeat allowed rivals Etoile du Sahel to move level with the Blood and Gold. A strong first half pushed ESS to a 2-1 victory over ES Métlaoui who rallied in the second half but could not move level. Firas Chaouat scored a spot kick before Oussema Abid doubled the lead close to halftime, his sixth goal in his last six matches.

The title race continues to get more interesting! EST and ESS are now level on 45 points following Saturday's results. In other matches played, AS Soliman won 1-0 at US Ben Guerdane while Stade Tunisien continued a miserable run of form with a 0-1 defeat at relegation candidates AS Gabès.

Four more matches will be played tomorrow with US Monastir and Club Africain in action while ES Zarzis host CS Sfaxien.

League Table (Top-5)

	GP	Points
Espérance ST	21	45
Etoile du Sahel	21	45
US Monastir	20	40
Club Africain	20	40
ES Zarzis	20	38