Recap: Nice back into European race with win over Lens (2-0)

OGC Nice moved to third place in Ligue 1 Mcdonald's after a convincing victory over RC Lens at the Allianz Riviera.

OGC Nice overtook Riviera rivals Monaco to rise to third place in the Ligue 1 McDonalds table following a 2-0 win over Racing Club de Lens. Franck Haise would once again face his former side with OGC Nice, after the pair played out a 0-0 draw earlier this season.

after Les Aiglons started the affair quickly at the Allianz Riviera, with a long ball from Koffi being intercepted by Nice before Guessand was sent through on goal and finished past the Lens keeper with ease. Yet the goal was reviewed by VAR, and Mohamed Ali Cho was penalised for a foul earlier in the play. Nice would then get an even better chance to go in front only minutes later, as Adrien Thomasson fouled Boudaoui in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Gaëtan Laborde would step up and convert, finishing to Koffi's right to give the hosts a deserved early lead (9').

Koffi had to then be quick on his feet and senses to quell a counter attack from Nice, who were looking to quickly double their lead. The Lensois keeper managed to pull off a fine stop as Cho cut inside on the edge of the box and let off a low strike with his right foot. M'Bala Nzola picked up the ball after Goduine Koyalipou took advantage of Bombito's botched intervention to infiltrate the box. The striker is blocked by the Nice defender, then M'Bala Nzola tries his left foot.

Clauss scores against former club

Lens were under pressure and had to regroup at the half-time whistle. Yet things would get immediately harder as the Sang & Or would go down to ten men, Fucundo Medina taking a second yellow. But all wasn't immediately lost, with Andy Diouf beginning in his own half and powered up most of the pitch but managed to drag his shot just wide at the last second.

Les Aiglons would then go on to make the most of their one man advantage, quickly doubling their lead through former Lens man Jonathan Clauss. After a quick corner taken on the right side, Clauss finds himself alone at the back post, and his powerful strike flies in just under the bar (64'). No celebration for the former Sang & Or defender, but Les Aiglons were cruising to victory. The hosts would see out the game for a vital three points which puts Haise's side back in the mix for European qualification.

READ MORE: 

>>Recap: Kvaratskhelia scores first goal as PSG dominate Monaco (4-1)