Nice have ended a five-match winless streak to get their European hopes back on track with a 1-0 victory over Montpellier HSC at the Allianz Riviera this evening.
The home side were the first to get a clear sight of goal when the ball was teed up for Hatem Ben Arfa, but Laurent Pionnier in the Montpellier goal was equal to it.
The visitors had a chance of their own shortly afterwards when they won a free kick in shooting range, but Ryad Boudebouz was unable to keep his effort down and failed to test Yoan Cardinale.
The opening goal arrived right on the half-hour mark through an unlikely source as Olivier Boscagli found the back of the net for the first time in his senior career to give his side the lead, despite the best efforts of Pionnier to keep it out.
Ben Arfa tested Pionnier again moments later, but Nice had their own keeper to thank for retaining their advantage when Cardinale denied Hilton from point-blank range.
Both sides continued to exchange chances in the second half, with Pionnier thwarting a Paul Baysse header and Cardinale keeping out William Remy at the second attempt.
The visitors were finally able to get past the Nice keeper with just over 20 minutes of the match remaining, but Baysse was there to clear Jerome Roussillon's effort off the line.
Time eventually ran out for Montpellier, however, as they fell to just their second defeat in their last 10 league matches.
Barney Corkhill
