OGC Nice secured a victory in Le Havre on Matchday 22 of Ligue 1 (1-3). Laborde, Youté (own goal) and Diop were the scorers for Nice.

Le Gym on a roll ! After their win against Lens last weekend, OGC Nice claimed another three points at the Stade Océane against Le Havre (1-3). Les Aiglons capitalised on their strong start with two goals in the span of two minutes during the first half (Laborde 16’, Youté own goal 18’). Le Havre fought back, reducing the deficit through a strike from Kechta before the half-hour mark (28’). Despite late pressure from the hosts and a red card for Bard, Nice maintained their lead and sealed the win in stoppage time thanks to Sofiane Diop (90+4’). This victory puts Les Aiglons in 3rd place with 40 points.

At kick-off, Franck Haise lined up his team in a 3-4-3 formation, with Abdi starting as the left wing-back and Louchet in midfield—the only two changes from the team that beat Lens last weekend. Bulka, Bombito, Dante, Bard, Santamaria, Clauss, Cho, Guessand and Laborde completed the Nice starting eleven. Les Aiglons started the game at a high tempo, immediately putting pressure on their opponents. In the 3rd minute, Nice’s pressing allowed Santamaria to fire a shot from the edge of the box, narrowly missing the target. Nice controlled possession and put Le Havre under serious pressure.

TWO GOALS IN TWO MINUTES

This dominance quickly translated onto the scoreboard. After the 15th minute, Nice opened the scoring with a lightning-fast attacking move. Following a long pass from Santamaria, Guessand controlled the ball inside the box and set up Laborde, who unleashed a powerful left-footed strike past Gorgelin at the near post (0-1, 16’). Laborde continued his excellent form, scoring his eighth goal in nine Ligue 1 matches.

Before Nice could even celebrate, they doubled their lead just two minutes later. A cross from Clauss on the right, intended for Cho, forced Youté Kinkoué into an unfortunate deflection into his own net (0-2, 18’).

With their backs against the wall, Le Havre responded by increasing the intensity. The hosts pulled one back through Kechta, who beat Bulka with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area (1-2, 28’). Despite the set-back, Nice remained composed and did not sit back. From a Le Havre free kick, Bulka comfortably caught Soumaré’s header (35’). Moments later, Cho nearly set up Guessand inside the six-yard box on a quick counter-attack (35’). Bard also tried his luck, but his weaker right-footed shot missed the target (38’). Just before half-time, Le Gym reasserted control, making their opponents chase the ball. Cho attempted a long-range effort (40’), which Gorgelin saved at the second attempt. At the break, OGC Nice deservedly led 2-1 at the Stade Océane.

GUESSAND’S GOAL DISALLOWED

Returning from the break, Le Havre pushed for an equaliser, but the Niçois remained defensively solid, led by a commanding performance from Bombito. To freshen things up, Diop and Ndombélé replaced Abdi and Louchet after the hour mark (61’). Franck Haise adjusted his formation to a 4-2-3-1, with Diop playing as the playmaker.

Nice thought they had found a third goal, but it was ruled out. Inside the box, Diop laid the ball back to Santamaria, whose shot was deflected. The rebound fell to Guessand, who slotted it home, but after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside (63’).

Nice continued attacking and created another chance. Ndombélé set up Cho inside the box, but his shot was blocked at the last moment by the Le Havre defence (67’). The hosts responded with a header from Hassan that narrowly missed the target (69’), followed by a Soumaré shot that skimmed past the post (71’). Le HAC increased their attacking pressure, creating several dangerous chances. But Les Aiglons remained composed and regained control. The visitors managed possession well to protect their lead. Laborde made way for Boga to inject fresh energy into the attack (80’).

DIOP SEALS IT AT 3-1

Le Havre pushed forward in the closing minutes and nearly equalised, but Bulka made a spectacular save to deny André Ayew’s header, preserving Le Gym's lead (85’). In the 89th minute, Cho was replaced by Rosario to sure up the midfield.

Moments later, Bard received a second yellow card and was sent off by referee Stéphanie Frappart, leaving Nice with ten men for stoppage time (90+1’). However, this resilient Nice side put the game beyond reach! After a rapid counter-attack, Ndombélé played a through ball to Boga, who sprinted forward and delivered a precise cut-back for Diop. The midfielder finished clinically to secure the victory (1-3, 90+4’).

NEXT UP: MONTPELLIER

OGC Nice will host Montpellier on Sunday 23 February, at 5:15pm for Matchday 23 of Ligue 1. This game will be a special one, as it will be celebrated in the spirit of Carnaval, with various festive activities at the Allianz Riviera.