Mangala leads Lyon’s comeback to a close victory over Nice in Ligue 1

Olympique Lyonnais continued their impressive ascent up the Ligue 1 table with a hard-fought victory over OGC Nice, marking their sixth league win in the last eight matches. Meanwhile, Nice suffered consecutive league losses for the first time this season, highlighting a dip in form for the usually high-flying side.

The match began with Nice applying significant pressure on the hosts, signaling their intent to disrupt Lyon’s momentum. Mohamed-Ali Cho came agonizingly close to opening the scoring for Nice with a spectacular chip that beat Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes but struck the post, denying Nice an early lead and offering Lyon a reprieve.

Despite the missed opportunity, Nice continued to assert their dominance, with Morgan Sanson unleashing a powerful effort that forced Lopes into action, tipping the ball around the post. Lyon’s defense was tested further from the resulting corner, as Evann Guessand’s header seemed destined for the back of the net, only to be thwarted by Lyon’s resolute defense.

However, Lyon managed to turn the tide in their favor against the run of play, surprising Nice by taking the lead. Ernest Nuamah broke down the right flank and delivered a precise cutback to the penalty spot, where Orel Mangala calmly slotted the ball into the roof of the net, marking his first goal since joining on loan from Nottingham Forest.

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Buoyed by their unexpected lead, Lyon grew in confidence, with Maxence Caqueret going close with a long-range effort. Only a crucial intervention from Melvin Bard prevented Nuamah from doubling Lyon’s advantage before the halftime whistle.

As the second half commenced, Nuamah and Said Benrahma continued to pose a threat from the flanks, keeping Nice’s defense on their toes. However, Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka remained largely untested as Lyon maintained their slender lead.

The introduction of top scorer Terem Moffi injected renewed energy into Nice’s attack, as they pushed for an equalizer in the final stages of the match. Despite Nice’s late surge, Lyon’s defense held firm, with Lopes making crucial saves to preserve their lead.

Lyon secured their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions, consolidating their position in the league standings and further solidifying their status as contenders. On the other hand, Nice’s defeat leaves them vulnerable to dropping down the table, especially considering their struggles when conceding the first goal this season.

As the weekend unfolds, Nice faces the prospect of slipping to fourth place, highlighting the importance of regaining their form in the coming matches and addressing their recent downturn in performance.