PARIS: Mario Balotelli was sent off as Nice moved up to second in Ligue 1 after Wylan Cyprien’s first-half goal earned them a 1-0 win at bottom side Lorient on Saturday.

Italian striker Balotelli picked up a straight red card when he argued with referee Tony Chapron in the 68th minute but Nice held firm to secure victory thanks to Cyprien’s 15th-minute effort, who collected Arnaud Souquet;s pass and fired home from inside the area .

Nice have 56 points from 26 games, three behind leaders Monaco, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Bastia on Friday, and one point ahead of defending champions Paris St Germain, who have a game in hand.

Elsewhere, Marseille overcame the absence of injured leading scorer Bafetimbi Gomis to beat Rennes 2-0 and boost their hopes of European qualification.

Clinton Njie and Florian Thauvin, the latter with a superb strike, both netted in the second half for the hosts as Marseille moved level on points with fifth-placed St Etienne and one point behind fourth-placed Lyon.

Lille eased their relegation fears with a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Caen in their first game under new coach Franck Passi.

Giant Malian striker Cheick Diabate’s late penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Metz at home to Nantes and Angers beat Nancy 1-0.

Published in Dawn, february 20th , 2017