Evann Guessand's late penalty earned OGC Nice a 1-0 victory over Metz at the Allianz Riviera.

Six wins out of six! Thanks to their 1-0 win over Metz on Matchday 19, OGC Nice have now won 6 of their last 6 home matches in L1, a first for the Allianz Riviera. Francesco Farioli's team are back on track in L1.

Le Gym created a number of dangerous chances in the first half, including a penalty that was initially awarded but then rightly disallowed for Cho's prior offside.

The Aiglons then broke the deadlock with a penalty converted by Evann Guessand in the final quarter of an hour (1-0, 77'). The win ensures that Le Gym will remain second in Ligue 1 at the end of this Matchday, with 38 points to their name.

Francesco Farioli made two changes to his starting line-up from the Coupe de France match against Bordeaux, with Ndayishimiye and Thuram returning to the midfield in a 4-3-3 formation. Bulka, Lotomba, Dante (C.), Todibo, Bard, Sanson, Cho, Guessand and Laborde made up the rest of the Italian coach's starting line-up. Mohamed-Ali Cho made his first home start for Nice.

A NUMBER OF CHANCES

It only took a few minutes for Nice to gain the upper hand on their opponents and go on the attack. On the right side of the box, Laborde beat a defender before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot that Oukidja parried away (6'). A few moments later, Guessand was played through by Bard, but he controlled the ball before falling to the ground in the box after contact with the Metz goalkeeper. Le Gym thought they had won a penalty, but after a VAR check, Stéphanie Frappart flagged Cho offside at the start of the move (14'). Shortly after the quarter-hour mark, Laborde's free-kick lacked power and Oukidja saved (21').

Despite dominating the game, Les Aiglons were up against a Metz side that was solid in duels and determined to take advantage of the slightest bit of space and set-pieces to pose a threat. Candé's left-footed free-kick went centimetres wide of Marcin Bułka's goal (27'). But they were up against the defensive resilience of the Rouge et Noir, with Todibo (4') and Bard (16') making excellent recoveries.

By the end of the first half, Le Gym were really taking the game to their opponents and stepping up their attacks. Totally unmarked, Thuram headed Cho's inch-perfect corner, but Oukidja kept it out (40'). The Messinian keeper was in fine form, saving Laborde's volley a few seconds later (41') and then Ndayishimiye's header from Sanson's cross at the far post (42'). The Allianz Riviera outfit pushed forward to open the scoring and break the deadlock. After a solo run by Thuram, the French international saw his shot blocked in the area, and the ball fell to Sanson, who struck the ball, but it was deflected for a corner (43'). The two teams were level at the break.

GUESSAND BREAKS THE DEADLOCK

After the break, Les Aiglons went back on the attack. Dante sent a long, perfectly-weighted ball into the box for Guessand, who controlled it with his chest and then volleyed wide, lacking the power to trouble Oukidja (51'). After a long throw from Lotomba, Guessand, who was very involved during the match, used his body to get the better of the defender and then crossed hard into the box, but nobody could get on the end of it (56'). Les Aiglons were rarely in danger, apart from a Sabaly shot that was easily saved by Bułka (64').

Francesco Farioli made his first changes to try and inject some life into the game. Claude-Maurice and Diop came on for Thuram and Cho. After long-range efforts from Dante (67') and Claude-Maurice (73'), Nice were eventually rewarded for their efforts. Stéphanie Frappart pointed to the spot after contact between Guessand and N'Doram in the area. Guessand converted his penalty perfectly with his right foot to score his fourth goal of the season (1-0, 77').

With confidence flowing, Nice almost grabbed a second goal in quick succession, Claude-Maurice (80') and Diop (84') both having shots saved by Oukidja. Sanson, Lotomba and Laborde came off late on to make way for the freshness of Boudaoui, Rosario and Perraud. The scoreline remained unchanged and Le Gym continued their upward march in the league.

HEADING TO BREST

Francesco Farioli and his men travel to the Stade Francis-Le Blé on Sunday 4 February to take on Stade Brestois on Matchday 20 of Ligue 1. The match kicks off at 5.05pm.