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Rennes
Ligue 1
Oct 18, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Nice

1-4

Grosicki (88')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Bodmer (14'), Ben Arfa (53'), Traore (75'), Benrahma (80')

Nice clinch fourth successive win

Nice claim a fourth successive Ligue 1 win by storming to a 4-1 victory over Rennes.

Nice have moved up to fifth in Ligue 1 thanks to a 4-1 triumph over Rennes at Roazhon Park.

It was another impressive attacking display as the in-form Hatem Ben Arfa led the way for Claude Puel's side, who have now won four successive league games and scored more goals than any other team this season.

Nice's French head coach Claude Puel looks on during the French L1 football match between Rennes and Nice on October 18, 2015© Getty Images

A strong start from the visitors proved to be key as they claimed the lead in just the 14th minute when Wallyson found Mathieu Bodmer, who kept his composure in the box to slot the ball past Abdoulaye Diallo with the outside of his boot.

Yoan Cardinale made his league debut in goal for Nice, and he made a vital contribution just a couple of minutes after the goal by keeping out Yacouba Sylla's header.

It proved to be a rare moment of concern for the visiting defence as Nice dominated and the lively Ben Arfa almost doubled the lead before the break when his low strike was tipped wide by Diallo.

The former Newcastle United attacker did register his side's second of the night early in the second half, and he did so in spectacular fashion as he led a break before beating two defenders to fire home an emphatic finish.

Nice's French forward Hatem Ben Arfa (R) celebrates with his teammate Nice's Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Rennes and Nice on October 18, 2015© Getty Images

Much like the opening 45 minutes, Rennes continued to struggle to put Nice under pressure for an extended period, but they did come close when Kamil Grosicki shot wide from the edge of the box.

It was left to a couple of substitutes to secure the win, with Mahamane Traore drilling the ball in from close range after a cross had been deflected into his path.

Said Benrahma needed less than four minutes to make an impact as he made it 17 goals in the last four games from Nice by picking out the top corner with an unstoppable strike after collecting a short corner from Ben Arfa.

Rennes scored a late consolation when Grosicki slotted past Cardinale following good work from Juan Quintero, but it could not take the shine off another emphatic triumph for Nice.

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Rennes' Malian midfielder Yacouba Sylla (R) vies with Ajaccio's French defender David Ducourtioux during the French L1 football match GFC Ajaccio (GFCA) against Rennes (SRFC) on September 23, 2015
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3Marseille116232415920
4Lille115421811719
5Lyon115331815318
6Nice1145221111017
7Reims115241915417
8Lens11452129317
9Auxerre115152019116
10Toulouse114341311215
11StrasbourgStrasbourg113442022-213
12Brest114161419-513
13Rennes113261318-511
14NantesNantes112451417-310
15Angers112451320-710
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