Recap: Laborde, Bouanani Goals Fuel Nice’s Win Over Le Havre

OGC Nice secured a 2-1 win over Le Havre on Saturday at Allianz Riviera thanks to two second half goals from Gaëtan Laborde and Badredine Bouanani.

The contest marked the return of Didier Digard after he was Nice's caretaker manager in 2023 and managed the B squad from 2021 to 2024. The first half between these two sides was quiet as neither team found the back of the net in the first 45 minutes.

It was an even contest with Nice recording five total shots while Le Havre countered with six total shots, but it was a scoreless matchup heading into halftime.

Both teams found their scoring boots in the second half with Laborde breaking the scoreless deadlock. After a VAR review awarded a penalty kick to the home side, the 30-year-old converted the shot in the 55th minute to give Les Aiglons a 1-0 lead.

In the 75th minute, Bouanani gave Nice and important insurance goal as they took a 2-0 advantage. This goal proved crucial as Le Havre attempted a late comeback to tie the contest as Gautier Lloris made it 2-1, scoring in the second half stoppage time.

The comeback fell short as Nice walked away with a 2-1 win and three points as Franck Haise and his team look to end 2024 on a positive note.

After the match, Haise spoke to the media at his press conference and praised his squad's performance despite knowing that they let a clean sheet slip through their hands.

"Everyone would have preferred to win this match 2-0, especially since that corner could have been avoided, but he's a young player who needs to learn. When you have 11 injured players, it's no small matter. But those who were on the field did some good things."

Nice will attempt to carry this positive momentum into their UEFA Europa League contest against Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday and their final Ligue 1 match of 2024 next Sunday against Montpellier Hérault SC.

The Stat: Gaëtan Laborde Scores Against Another Ligue 1 side

With the goal against Le Havre, Laborde brings his tally to 29 different teams he's scored against in the top flight. Among current Ligue 1 players, only Olympique Lyonnais veteran Alexandre Lacazette (29) matches that number.

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