The absence of leading goalscorer Terem Moffi from the starting line-up was a blow for the hosts, but they dominated early on regardless. Throughout the first half, it was one-way traffic, as Les Merlus peppered Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. At times, it felt as though Stéphane Diarra and the Danish goalkeeper were having their own personal duel. The former Leicester City number one came out on top, denying the forward on four separate occasions. However, he was helpless to deny Dango Ouattara, who nodded Enzo Le Fée’s set-piece into the corner. The goal was the least Lorient deserved for their positivity, while Nice could hardly complain given they barely threatened throughout the first 45 minutes.
At HT, away manager Lucien Favre replaced Ross Barkley with Gaëtan Laborde. The change gave Nice a stronger presence up front, but initially, that failed to translate that into clear-cut chances. However, from out of nowhere, they drew level around the hour mark. Youcef Atal had been the visitors’ brightest spark throughout, and it was his well-hit drive on his left foot that proved to be the equaliser. That strike gave Les Aiglons the momentum and, after Nicolas Pépé mistimed his jump to head harmlessly into Yvon Mvogo's hands when unmarked from six yards out, they took the lead. How much credit you can give to goalscorer Laborde, though, is up for debate, as his shot deflected wildly off Montassar Talbi before looping over Mvogo, who could only watch on in disbelief. The fortunate nature of the strike was perhaps necessary, as it was only Nice’s 13th league goal in 12 outings this campaign.
In contrast to their first-half display, Lorient were unable to apply any real attacking pressure, and Nice were able to see out the match with relative ease, even following the introduction of Moffi for the final 30 minutes. The victory sees them move up three places in the Ligue 1 table to tenth and may well have saved Favre’s job - for now, at least. As for Lorient, it was a first defeat at home this term and, although they remain in the top four, something they will have hardly believed possible at the start of the season, this loss is a setback.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kasper Schmeichel (OGC Nice)
