Aiglon of the match

Unanimously Kluivert

With two goals and an assist, Justin Kluivert was always going to be your choice for Crédit Agricole Aiglon of the Match against Marseille — the Dutchman took 93% of the vote.

"He was lacking some stats, some assists and goals," said Christophe Galtier of Justin Kluivert after his five-star display in the 4-1 defeat of OM. He got the 33,000-strong crowd off their seat more than once, not only with his goal involvements, but also his dribbles that caused the visitors untold problems.

Just before the half-hour mark, with Le Gym back on level terms thanks to Gouiri, Kluivert got in front of Leonardo Balerdi to latch on to Andy Delort's cross and powerfully head home his first Nice goal.

"He's been improving since his return from injury, but he had difficulty in finishing things off," said coach Galtier. This time, Kluivert found the final touch, and added a second goal just after the start of the second half with a blockbuster strike too hot to handle for OM goalkeeper Pau Lopez. "He's got quite a shot on him, you saw that this evening," said Delort.

 

 

On the pitch, the pair worked in tandem to make it 4-1, Kluivert providing the pass for Delort. "I took the decision to put him on the right for a reason. I knew he'd get more assists there," said Galtier. It certainly paid off as his coach was rewarded with "a top performance" from his number 21. As well as sweeping your vote, he was given a 9/10 by the Nice-Matin and L'Equipe newspapers.

DELORT & THURAM NEXT

Behind Kluivert, Delort and Khephren Thuram completed the podium. In addition to his goal to cap a great evening and two assists, the forward was a constant menace to the Marseille backline.

In an inhabitual position for him, Thuram again showed his versatility, limiting Marseille's influence down the left.