Nice edge closer to Europe with Troyes win

 ESTAC Troyes 0-2 OGC Nice 

THE MATCH

Troyes may have begun the day one point above the drop zone, but they started well with Stéphane Darbion inches away from setting up Benjamin Nivet for the opener (8′) before seeing what looked like a legitimate penalty claim waved on by referee Johan Hamel (11′). Mario Balotelli was told to pick himself up at the other end soon after having gone to ground (13′), but it was to prove brief respite for Troyes in the end. Pléa grabbed his first of the game, steering an effort inside the near post to leave ESTAC ‘keeper Erwin Zelazny with no chance (16′). Pléa (28′) and Balotelli (31’) each had the home goal bulging once again before the half was out, but both efforts were ruled out for off-side.

Darbion started the second half as brightly as he had the first, forcing a corner from Zelazny’s opposite number Walter Benitez early on (52′), but Nice reasserted their dominance soon after. Pléa forced an acrobatic save from Zelazny with a thumping drive (54′) before Balotelli slipped in Pierre Lees-Melou whose shot looked odds on to nestle ibn the back of the net until Zelazny pulled a save out of nowhere (70′). Lucien Favre’s men simply wouldn’t be denied, though, and Pléa completed his brace from close range seven minutes from time (83′), taking Nice into seventh, behind fifth-placed Montpellier Hérault SC by virtue of goal-difference alone.

THE PLAYER: Alassane Pléa

Pléa was everywhere at the Stade de l’Aube, firing a game-high seven shots at the opposition goal, five of which were on target. Once a winger, the 25-year-old has added a ruthless streak to his game and is now up to 12 goals for the current Ligue 1 Conforama campaign, just two behind Balotelli.

THE STAT: 6

Troyes are now without a win in six league games, with their last victory coming against bottom club FC Metz in mid-February. Jean-Louis Garcia’s side were 15th before their recent slide, and now find themselves just a point above LOSC, who are 19th.

>> Teamsheet