Nice beat Marseille to take top spot | OneFootball

A late Evann Guessand goal was enough for OGC Nice to see off Marseille and take top spot in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, whilst also extending the club's impressive unbeaten run.

OGC Nice 1-0 Olympique de Marseille

THE MATCH

Marseille were marginally the better side in the first half, but neither side managed to create an outstanding chance of note. Chancel Mbemba's ball over the top for Ismaïla Sarr was smartly finished by the Senegalese international (25'), however, the flag was rightly raised for offside.

Nice had kept clean sheets in their last three matches at home, and defences were very much on top in the opening 45 minutes at the Allianz Riviera.

Gaëtan Laborde's strike just over the bar of Pau Lopez's goal (49') alluded to a more action-packed second-half. Whilst clear-cut chances remained at a premium, Marseille went close to taking the lead through Amine Harit, whose shot was well-saved by the outstretched hand of Ligue 1 Uber Eats' goalkeeper of the month for September, Marcin Bulka.

However, the Polish goalkeeper couldn't do anything about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's effort. The Gabonese striker latched onto Valentin Rongier's ball over the top, and whilst his dink beat Bulka, it didn't beat the post (73').

Balderdi's red card a turning point

Marseille would come to regret that miss. Just minutes later, the game would swing in Nice's favour. Leonardo Balerdi, who had already received a yellow card for dissent, then committed a clumsy foul on the edge of his own box. The Argentinian was sent off and from the resulting free-kick, Jérémie Boga found the head of Evann Guessand, who finished past substitute goalkeeper Ruben Blanco (79').

Les Phocéens would get their chance to equalise, and it fell to Iliman Ndiaye, but having taken Jean-Clair Todibo out of the game, he then fluffed the finish from close-range (89'). Nice held on and temporarily take top spot. Monaco have the chance to retake their lead on Sunday.

THE PLAYER: Evann Guessand

Guessand has had limited minutes so far this season, but he's making his mark when he gets his chance. Prior to Saturday night's fixture against Marseille, he had played 181 minutes in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, scoring once. He doubled his account in the Mediterranean derby and his introduction changed the game. His ability to link the play, and his energy in the press proved the difference in the latter stages.

THE STAT: 4

Having kept a clean sheet against Marseille, Nice have now kept clean sheets in their last four home games. The last time Les Aiglons did that in the league was in January-March 2019. Nice have kept six clean sheets this season in Ligue 1, no team in the big five European leagues has had more.

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