(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights NICE - FC METZ

Different end to the table as Nice hosted Messe at the Allianz Riviera. Les Aiglons came through a high-scoring cup tie away at Bordeaux last weekend, now wanted to bounce back from previous league outing, so a 2-0 defeat at Rennes. Otherwise they've been particularly strong at home, looking for a continuation of a long winning run. For Messe, it's the absolute opposite. It's been a painful time, out on penalties at Clermont in the cup, having been the losing streak away from home. A little bit of enthusiasm though, the last four matches between these two sides have ended in away wins, hitting La Borde, testing the palms of Alexandre Okidja early on. Looked like the Algerian keeper had got it horribly wrong, Evan Gissan going down. There was contact, but in the end it's definitely Fepa electing to move it back for an earlier infringement. The two are seeing eye-to-eye, Okidja bloodied, Marcin Burka concerned, Marek Kande back in the starting eleven, just off target. Messe lost the last three away days on the trot, scoring just once, although that was at Paris. Okidja though, doing his best to try and keep the first clean sheet. It's a 1-0 away win at L'Anse, header down into the ground from the returning Kefren Touram. His first start in eight weeks, but at the break it was goalless. Moniz aiming to continue the brilliant unbeaten home form, has also included five straight victories. They need to find a little bit of magic in order to turn one point into three. They might not have got a penalty earlier on, Evan Gissan this time staying on his feet under pressure, firing well off target. Stryker was getting him behind, this time Kande did clip his heels, Vapa pointing to the spot, Ter Mofi scored their home win over L'Anse, starting from the penalty spot, a two minute salvo, with him away in a Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria duty, Evan Gissan trying to get Okidja guessing. He certainly didn't guess right, Stryker on the mark, Moniz on course for another tight victory, third of the season, equaling his output for Nantes last season in just a seventh start. It could have been better, Guy Talaborde onto the Stryker, but he laid it off, a shot from Claude Maurice, straight at Okidja, in the end, this wouldn't need more, it would have been a nice ending for Sophie Antiop, back from injury, on as a sub after two months out. Mofarioli in the end shaking hands, victorious once again, six on the trot, second in the table, mess, just above Lyon, the bottom three by a single goal.