THE MATCH

Metz were unbeaten in four matches before losing their last two - to Strasbourg and Toulouse - without scoring a goal. Nice came to Lorraine in excellent form on the road with wins in Paris and Monaco already under their belt, and Francesco Farioli's men soon stamped their authority on the game.

Khephren Thuram may claim he was going for goal, but it looked like a miscued cross from the France international midfielder that struck the crossbar of Alexandre Oudkidja's goal just four minutes in. 

Thuram was also involved as Nice broke the deadlock soon after. Jérémie Boga found the former Monaco man and he picked out Melvin Bard on the left. The full-back's cross landed at the back post where Boudaoui's first-time finish was too good for Oukidja (18').

The Algeria international's first league goal of the season should have been cancelled out ten minutes later, but Oscar Estupinan shot - and Marcin Bulka parried - rather than finding Matthieu Udol, who was unmarked to his left (28').

Boudaoui had been preferred to Morgan Sanson in the starting XI; the freshly signed former Montpellier and Marseille midfielder did make an appearance, however, as he replaced Thuram at the break.

Mario Balotelli was in the Nice side that was last beaten in Metz in 2018; the mercurial Italian's successor in leading the line, Terem Moffi, would have added to his three league goals this season but for Oukidja, who shot out a foot to turn away. the Nigerian forward's toe-poked effort (58').

Nice held their opponents off comfortably enough, and substitute Evann Guessand could have made the closing minutes less nervy for his boss, but saw Oukidja make yet another save after the Nice forward had latched onto a Gaëtan Laborde flick-on (82').

The win takes Nice two points clear of Côte d'Azur rivals Monaco, who play at Reims later on Saturday evening, and Brest, who host Toulouse on Sunday afternoon.

THE PLAYER: Hicham Boudaoui

The rangy midfielder goes slightly under the radar in the middle of the park alongside Thuram, but his contribution to the Nice cause is just as big. Underrated and with the ability to add goals to his all-round game, he will be a key figure for Farioli this term.

THE STAT: 11

Nice are unbeaten in their last 11 league games, winning six of them. 

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