Umut Bozok gave Nîmes Olympique the lead and Loïck Landre handed them a dramatic last-gasp 2-1 win at Caen on Wednesday.
SM Caen 1-2 Nîmes Olympique 
THE MATCH
This was the 11th competitive meeting between the pair, and Caen had not lost a single one of those games. However, Fabien Mercadal’s men had failed to win in their last seven Ligue 1 Conforama matches, and it showed as Nîmes quickly took charge.
Rachid Alioui (5′) and Bozok (8′) had already been given sights of goal before the latter provided the breakthrough — Jordan Ferri’s through ball opened up the home defence, and Bozok placed his shot beyond Brice Samba’s grasp (19′).
It was Nîmes’ ninth goal in five matches, but the lead it provided almost didn’t last very long — the visitors were relieved, however, after Paul Baysse’s free-kick had landed at the back post, Prince Oniangué’s header came back off a post (21′).
Alioui’s shot forced a stop from Samba (29′) and Antonin Bobichon (43′) and Sofiane Alkouch (44′) might have added to the visitors’ lead before the break as they swept over the fragile hosts.
Bozok denied second
Another opportunity fell Bozok’s way soon after the restart, but Samba denied him and his follow-up was blocked (50′) before the Nîmes marksman had what he thought was a second goal ruled out for offside (55′).
A Frédéric Guilbert drive called Paul Bernardoni into action for the first time just after the hour mark (62′), and the Nîmes goalkeeper then had to punch out Fayçal Fajr’s free-kick (71′) as Caen finally began to threaten.
Alioui could have given Nîmes a comfortable ride to the final whistle only to see Samba stand defiant in their one-on-one duel, and Bernard Blaquart’s men looked like they would rue that missed opportunity as Oniangué rose to head home another well-delivered Fayr set-piece with seconds left (90′).
But the visitors had one final chance themselves, and took it to silence the Stade Michel d’Ornano. Téji Savanier’s free-kick was not dealt with by the hesitant home defence, and Landre was able to force the ball over the line from close range (90+6′).
THE PLAYER: Umut Bozok
So prolific in Domino’s Ligue 2 last season, the 22-year-old had struck just once in the top flight before arriving in Normandy. His goal — and the threat he posed generally — show he is beginning to find his feet.
THE STAT: 16
This was the first home game Caen have lost to a newly promoted side in 16 encounters. They had won ten of those games, and kept a clean sheet in the previous five before meeting Nîmes.
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