OGC Nice and Le Havre played out a 1-1 draw this Sunday at the Allianz Riviera on Matchday 29 of Ligue 1. Ali Abdi got the equaliser for the Aiglons after Ally Samatta opened the scoring.

It's as we were in the battle to avoid relegation. Facing Didier Digard’s Le Havre side this Sunday at home in La Plaine du Var, Claude Puel’s men secured a point and maintain a four-point lead over Auxerre with five matchdays remaining in the season. It was a fair result at the end of a balanced match in which the physically superior Normans started well, but the technically superior Aiglons were better in the closing stages. They came close to winning it and they will have regrets after missing a chance to seal the victory in stoppage time: a cross from Clauss that Kevin Carlos almost got on the end of from close range, followed by a fine ball from Louchet that was headed wide by Mendy (90+6).

Before this final push by the Côte d'Azur side, the match was going well for HAC, who had managed to hold Lyon (Matchday 26, 0–0) and Auxerre (Matchday 28, 1–1) to draws in their previous fixtures. Proving a threat down the right flank, Fodé Doucouré was denied twice by Yehvann Diouf after latching onto a cross from Yanis Zouaoui (15'). The Nice goalkeeper was instrumental in keeping his team in the game before Ali Abdi cleared Ally Samatta’s third attempt from the Le Havre attack off the line. The Tanzanian striker, a constant threat throughout the match, finally broke the deadlock just before half-time. Finding himself in a central position following a header from Rassoul Ndiaye, the Normandy centre-forward gave Diouf no chance (0-1, 41'), considerably dampening the mood at the Allianz Riviera, where the only moment of excitement had been a failed one-on-one by Mohamed-Ali Cho against Mory Diaw (16').

Clauss and Abdi spark the comeback

The tide turned after the break with a more determined Aiglons side. Struggling to break down the opposition’s defence, the Rouge et Noir turned to Jonathan Clauss’s set-pieces to get back into the game. With a long-range free-kick, the French international caused chaos for the Le Havre defence. With a half-volley from Morgan Sanson and a follow-up from Antoine Mendy, Ali Abdi managed to finish from close range, capping off a somewhat scrappy move that nevertheless perfectly illustrated the Côte d’Azur side’s determination (1-1, 59’).

Eager to secure three precious points, Puel’s side regained control of the game, creating a huge chance after Diaw failed to clear the ball, though Sofiane Diop was unable to get enough power behind his header (78’). Shortly afterwards, Clauss tested the Senegalese goalkeeper once more, who produced a superb save to prevent the ball from crashing into the top corner (81’). Despite a final scare in the 96th minute, Nice were unable to beat HAC for a second time this season.

Valiant but lacking that final edge, Les Aiglons had to settle for a draw, which could prove crucial at the end of the season. With the run-in now underway, they have maintained their lead over AJA and will travel to Lille on Saturday 18th April (9.05pm).

Hugo Rondet