OGC Nice claimed their first Ligue 1 win of the season at the fifth attempt by beating pre-round leaders LOSC Lille 2-1, a result which also ended their run of 13 consecutive home league matches without victory.
The hosts produced a commanding first-half display despite beginning the match near the bottom of the table. Djibril Coulibaly thought he had given Nice an early lead when his effort struck the stanchion behind the goal and went into the side-netting, prompting celebrations among some supporters inside the Allianz Riviera.
Elye Wahi then had two efforts ruled out for offside before Nice eventually broke the deadlock. Mohammed Amoura advanced down the left and sent a cross into the area, where Ngoy’s attempted intervention diverted the ball into the far corner for an own goal.
Wahi was denied a second shortly after the half-hour mark. Unmarked in the penalty area, he met another inviting delivery from Amoura with a powerful left-footed strike, but the effort came back off the post.
Lille responded with greater urgency after the interval. Yehvann Diouf reacted quickly to keep out Ayase Ueda’s header, before Niels Nkounkou fired over from inside the box after being found by Wahi.
Diouf was called into action again moments later, making a strong save to stop Tiago Santos’ powerful drive. He then gathered Nabil Bentaleb’s long-range effort as Lille continued to test the Nice defence.
Wahi missed another clear opportunity to extend the home side’s advantage when he was released through on goal. Rather than shoot with power, he attempted to lift the ball over Berke Ozer, who managed to smother the effort.
Nice did find a second in the next attack, with Amoura completing the job he had started as provider. He controlled a long pass from Gauthier Hein, rounded Ozer with composure and rolled the ball into an unguarded net.
Lille halved the deficit with 10 minutes remaining. Ueda struck firmly with his left foot to give the visitors hope and almost levelled the match soon afterwards, but Diouf produced an excellent save low to his left to keep out the Japanese international’s header.
The victory lifts Nice out of the relegation zone ahead of the forthcoming international break. Lille, who had been top before kick-off, fall to fourth after suffering their first domestic defeat of the campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gauthier Hein (Nice).