OGC Nice  0 - 1  SM Caen 

THE MATCH

The only goal of the game at the Allianz Riviera came in the 74th minute, when substitute Malik Tchokounté helped on a corner from the left and Alexander Djiku diverted the ball into the net with his knee.

This was very much a smash and grab effort from the Normandy side, who had earlier seen Brice Samba make a fantastic save, diving to his right, to stop a Rémi Walter penalty after the referee had consulted the VAR when Djiku blocked a Malang Sarr free-kick with his arm inside the area (28').

Nice were denied on several occasions by an inspired Samba as their own troubles in front of goal were laid bare. They now have the worst attack in the top flight with just 23 goals scored in 33 games, and this reverse - their first in 11 home Ligue 1 Conforama games - is a huge blow to their European ambitions.

In contrast, Caen climb above EA Guingamp and off the bottom of the table and are within two points of Dijon FCO in the relegation play-off place after another remarkable away victory on the Côte d'Azur, three weeks after a 1-0 win at AS Monaco.

THE PLAYER: Brice Samba

Alexander Djiku got the winning goal for Caen, but Samba performed heroics at the other end, not least with his brilliant penalty save from Rémi Walter in the first half. Without that, Caen surely would not have gone on to win this game.

THE STAT: 11

This was a first defeat in 11 home Ligue 1 Conforama outings for Nice since a 1-0 defeat against Olympique de Marseille on October 21.