Evann Guessand fires Nice to win over Brest (0-1)
OGC Nice followed up on their Côte d'Azur derby win against Monaco with a win on the road against Stade Brestois, as Evann Guessand scored the decisive effort just before the half-time interval.
Franck Haise's men started the better of the two sides, who were both preparing to return to European competition following the conclusion of this Ligue 1 Matchday. Chances would fall to Boga before Marco Bizot had to be alert to save from Mohamed Ali-Cho. Ali Abdi continued his fine performances for Les Aiglons and was vital again, as he just shot wide.
Les Brestois struggled to deal with the pressure coming from the away side in the opening stages of the match, but Ajorque would pose some danger with a header but it didn't bother Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka. Nice would then have the ball in the back of the net, but it would be ruled out for an offside call on Evann Guessand in the build-up play before Mohamed Ali-Cho's low finish into the back of the net.
Only minutes later would the visitors take a deserved lead at Stade Francis-Blé, as Abdi sent a powerful cross to the far post and Guessand provided a powerful right-footed finish (42'). It's now the sixth goal of the season for the Nice striker. Les Aiglons went into half-time on a positive note.
Brest's second half reaction
Éric Roy's side had to react when they came out for the second half, and Pierre Lees-Melou sprang into action with some dangerous crosses into Ludovic Ajorque. There were shouts for a penalty when Mahdi Camara went down in the box, but referee Clément Turpin waved away the appeals and gave a corner. Bulka had to be on his toes to parry away Ajorque's header from the ensuing corner.
Mama Baldé would get into the game more, as Nice had to dig in and put their men behind the ball. With the onus now on Brest to attack and try to get an equaliser, Eric Roy called on Ibrahim Salah and Romain Faivre off the bench. Yet, the Breton side couldn't find a way through as Nice managed to see out a close game to move up to fifth in Ligue 1. Brest, meanwhile, stay in 10th in the Ligue 1 table.
MATCH REACTION
Nice goalscorer, Evann Guessand - "It's true we were also backing up our win against Monaco last weekend. I'm proud of the team, we didn't concede even if they did push us. I'm happy but tonight the satisfying thing is we won because of the goal. Now we have to turn a page and look forward to the Europa League."
THE STAT: SIX
Evann Guessand has scored six goals for Nice this season in Ligue 1 after ten matches, as many as in the previous season (34 matches). The Ivorian striker has scored at least one goal in three consecutive games in the top-flight for the first time.
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