Gaëtan Laborde scored the goal as Montpellier recorded their first home win in seven months, beating Nice 1-0 to go third in Ligue 1 Conforama.
Montpellier Hérault SC 1-0 OGC Nice 
THE MATCH
Nice had won their previous two Ligue 1 Conforama outings but Patrick Vieira’s men came unstuck as they failed to perform despite the return to action of Mario Balotelli. Michel Der Zakarian’s Montpellier were good value for their win and have now lost only one of their last nine top division games.
MHSC had the first major chance (21′) when a Junior Sambia corner reached Damien Le Tallec at the back post. Le Tallec’s shot was hard and true but Youcef Atal, the Nice player, managed to clear off the line. Montpellier did not have to wait long (35′) before going in front. Ruben Aguilar’s half-volley troubled Walter Benitez who released the ball Laborde’s way. The former Bordeaux attacker side-footed home under no pressure for his first Montpellier goal.
Benitez has been in good form and the goalkeeper (40′) managed a great save from Sambia in a one-on-one situation. There was little goalmouth incident of note until late (81′) when Benjamin Lecomte dealt with a well-struck Atal shot. Pierre Lees-Melou (82′) then had a potential equaliser chalked off for a foul.
Andy Delort (88′) is still searching for his first Montpellier goal since joining from Toulouse and has not come closer than when striking the post with a first-time shot here.
THE PLAYER: Gaëtan Laborde
Laborde’s sale to Montpellier precipitated the events that saw Gustavo Poyet removed from his position as Bordeaux coach and here the big forward underlined his value to his new squad by netting the winner that brought relief to La Mosson after so many fruitless home displays.
THE STAT: 9
The number of home games MHSC had gone (3D, 6L) without a home win before ending their worst-ever sequence of home form in the top division.
Be the first to comment