Striker Allan Saint-Maximin’s powerful deflected shot gave struggling Nice a shock 1-0 away win over Olympique Lyonnais on Friday as Patrick Viera’s side earned their first victory in Ligue 1 this season.
Mario Balotelli made his first start of the campaign, but it was Maximin who stole the headlines by sending a thumping shot that deflected off the forehead of Lyon defender Marcelo and into the net five minutes into the second half.
Nabil Fekir struck the post with a stabbed shot in the 57th minute as Lyon poured forward looking for an equaliser against a Nice side who had managed to score only one goal and collect one point in their first three games of the season.
Nice goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who was also making his first start of the season, produced a string of fine saves in the dying minutes as his side held on for an unlikely victory that was greeted by boos and whistles from the home crowd.