There will be a minimum of two minutes added on at the end of this match.
88'
Nice try to up the tempo for the final few minutes, reaching deep into their reserve tanks to try and muster up a final push for a consolation goal. Even in the first half before the sending off, the problem was a large gap between Ben Arfa and the striker, which continues to hurt them going forward.
86'
STAT: PSG are now unbeaten in their last 26 Ligue 1 matches, dating back to a 3-2 defeat at Bordeaux in March of last season (W23, D3).
85'
S. Aurier gets yellow.
Aurier goes into the book for a challenge on Seri, who appears to have hurt himself here. Nice are out of substitutions, so should he not be able to continue they will have to finish this match with nine men.
83'
S. Raheriharimanana enters the game and replaces V. Koziello.
Final change for the hosts as Dada replaces Koziello. Stephan Raheriharimanana is his full name, but that's not what he puts on the back of his jersey - and kit manufacturers everywhere thank him for that!
81'
PSG are so comfortable in possession, passing the ball around at will in the final third. Nice find themselves at sixes and sevens at the back, really starting to feel the effects of the Hult sending off as tired legs begin to set in.
79'
The noise level has dropped significantly throughout the course of the second half, and at the moment it resembles more that of a morgue than a football match. After such an encouraging first half from the hosts, the Hult red card turned the lights out on their party.
77'
Lucas Moura enters the game and replaces Z. Ibrahimović.
S. Benrahma enters the game and replaces V. Germain.
Ibrahimovic comes off to a rowdy applause from the traveling fans as he's replaced for the final 13 minutes by Lucas.
The hosts make their second change which sees Mohamed Benrahma replace Germain, who has been a mere spectator in the second half.
76'
E. Lavezzi enters the game and replaces T. Motta.
Motta has bossed the game in midfield and just completed his 100th pass of the night, which will be his last contribution as he is replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Minute
Description
74'
STAT: In their seven home matches this season Nice have scored two goals or more on three occasions (W3) and one or less in the other four (D1, L3).
72'
PSG have slowed the tempo considerably, passing the ball around near the halfway line, remaining more focused on playing keep away from their opponents than they are adding to the lead. This game has been a microcosm of their season as a whole to date.
70'
OFFSIDE! Interesting defending from PSG who, despite their comfortable lead, are playing with a very high line. They are nearly caught by Germain who latches onto a through ball from Ben Arfa, but he started his run too early as the flag goes up.
68'
Far away in the end from Seri, who tries to curl an effort in at the far corner from a free kick. It looked a dangerous effort at first, but winds up curling well wide. Trapp appeared comfortable the whole time as well, having his angles covered.
66'
This is hardly the response Claude Puel was hoping for from his team, after giving so many of his first-team regulars a rest midweek. This game was undoubtedly circled on their calendars, but they have come out and failed to put up a fight in front of their home fans.
64'
STAT: PSG are unbeaten in their last 24 league matches held on a Friday (W19, D5), dating back to a 1-0 defeat away to Marseille in November 2009.
62'
O. Boscagli enters the game and replaces R. Genevois.
The hosts make their first change of the night with Genevois, who was a late inclusion with Pied injured in warmups, replaced by Olivier Boscagli.
61'
Z. Ibrahimović has scored a goal for PSG! Assist by Á. Di María.
Excellent work by Di Maria to find a good pocket of space in the buildup, before sending the perfectly-weighted ball in for the striker.
ZLATAN BAGS HIS BRACE! From a similar angle in the first half the striker squared the ball for Cavani to knock home, but this time - after being played through by Di Maria - he catches Cardinale cheating towards the centre and forces the ball it at the near post!
60'
Clearly plagued by their shortage in numbers, Nice are struggling mightily to keep the ball when they win it back, something they had no issues with in the first half. At this point a comeback seems out of the question, but they would still like to keep this scoreline respectable in front of their home fans.
58'
A. Rabiot enters the game and replaces B. Matuidi.
Matuidi was forced off at half time against Angers midweek and he was originally considered a doubt to participate today. He makes his way off as a precaution, with Adrien Rabiot on to replace him.
57'
Kurzawa commits a cynical foul to trip up Seri from behind after realising he had been beaten by the midfielder. The hosts try to take the ensuing free kick quickly, but the referee stops them which allows PSG to recover - and eventually the ball is given right back to the visitors.
55'
OVER FROM MOTTA! That's a sitter for the Italian following a corner, as it arrives at him unmarked in the centre off the foot of Di Maria. It almost catches him by surprise as he fails to time his jump properly, heading well over the bar.
53'
STAT: Nice have 25 points through 16 league games this campaign (W7, D4, L5). They had just 18 points at this stage last season.
51'
CRUCIAL FROM CARDINALE! Motta with some excellent reading of the game to win the ball back and start his side forward. From there it's too easy for the hosts as Ibrahimovic is picked out unmarked in the area with a ball over the top, but his header is punched away by Cardinale who reacted brilliantly to keep it out!
49'
There's a lengthy stoppage as the referee of all people pulls up after appearing to injure his hamstring. He's unable to continue and the fourth official is getting his uniform set as he comes on to replace Mr. Antony Gautier.
47'
JUST OVER! Terrific start to the second half for the visitors as they burst through down the left with Kurzawa on the overlap. The left-back is able to send in two crosses, the second of which is met by Stambouli, but he heads onto the roof of the net!
46'
Here we go again!
45'
HALF TIME: NICE 0-2 PSG.
44'
Penalty goal scored by Z. Ibrahimović for PSG!
Ibrahimovic takes the ensuing penalty and he makes no mistake, slotting it into the bottom corner past the out-stretched arms of Cardinale who had actually guessed correctly - though it hardly mattered in the end!
43'
N. Hult goes off after a red card!
NICE DOWN TO 10 MEN! Such terrific buildup play from the hosts as Matuidi threads a ball through for Di Maria, who picks out Cavani on the left, and the striker sends a perfect pass across the face of goal for Ibrahimovic who is dragged down from behind by Hult!
41'
HUGE CHANCE FOR BODMER! From the ensuing free kick the ball is played into the area and a poor clearance attempt sends the ball straight to Bodmer at the far post, but the centre-half puts a header straight into the arms of Trapp! He has to be scoring from there!
40'
B. Matuidi gets yellow.
Matuidi is penalised for a foul deep in his own end, picking up the first yellow card of the contest.
39'
STAT: PSG have won five consecutive league matches over Nice, since a 2-1 defeat at the Allianz Riviera in December 2012. Blaise Matuidi was sent off in that match.
37'
It is harsh on Nice considering how well they have played in this first half. Cardinale has rarely been tested, but with the skill PSG boast, it only takes one flash in the pan for them to carve out a chance and they've shown that here.
35'
E. Cavani has scored a goal for PSG! Assist by Z. Ibrahimović.
The determination and vision from Ibrahimovic in the buildup were what made that all possible. That goal was all made through the work of the Swedish striker, which resulted in the simplest of tap-ins for the Uruguayan striker.
LES PARISIENS NEGOTIATE A BREAKTHROUGH! Delightful one-two atop the area between Ibrahimovic and Matuidi to play the striker through, and he then shows incredible vision to play the ball across goal, serving it up to Cavani on a platter.
33'
The tempo has been far from poor, but despite the lively pace there has been a surprising lack of goal-mouth action. PSG work the ball forward well and a ball is played through for Aurier into the area. The ball runs away from the Ivorian and once he sees the chance go he flops to ground in rather embarrassing fashion.
31'
Ben Arfa is widely considered a streaky player, and if that is indeed the case, this certainly appears like one of his on days. He's running riot in this first half and is proving impossible to dispossess with the ball at his feet. Again he runs half the length of the pitch and beats two defenders before curling a shot just inches wide of the far corner!
29'
STAT: PSG have won 11 of their last 13 matches away from home in the league (D2). It took them 25 matches before this run to win 11 games on their travels.
27'
IMPRESSIVE HIT! PSG give the ball away in a bad area which allows Nice to break with pace. The hosts have such a good understanding on the counter and Seri gets on the end of the move, before trying his luck from the top of the area. He makes great contact, but sends it straight at Trapp!
25'
PSG are starting to slowly take over as they enjoy more and more time on the ball. Their approach in attack is growing more patient as they start to appear much more comfortable in possession. The hosts are going to have to remain organised and hope to hit back on the break.
23'
Impeccable control! Delightful first and second touch from Ibrahimovic to control a ball over the top. He has a real magnetism to him with the ball at his feet. He then shows incredible vision to pick out Stambouli, but the midfielder's eventual return pass for the striker catches him in an offside position.
21'
SHOULD BE ONE! Di Maria delivers a free kick into the area which Aurier flicks on towards the far post. Ibrahimovic does well to slow it with an impressive first touch and finds himself completely unmarked, but sends a half-volley over the bar from eight-yards out!
19'
Aurier is starting to get more involved as he tries to provide more width to Les Parisiens in attack. He's such an attack-minded full-back who loves to bomb forward on the overlap, but this latest foray comes to the end after a dreadful attempt at a cross in for Ibrahimovic.
17'
STAT: Nice registered a convincing 3-0 victory over Lyon in their last home match. They have not won back-to-back league fixtures at the Allianz Riviera since January (Lorient and Marseille).
15'
KURZAWA TO THE RESCUE! Exceptional break from the hosts as they burst forward four against three. Ben Arfa runs half the length of the pitch, starting deep in his own end, before playing Germain through on the left. The striker tries to pull it back for Genevois, but Kurzawa reads it well to intercept and clear.
13'
CLOSE TO THE OPENER! Brilliant from Di Maria to switch the ball onto his left and pick out Ibrahimovic with an exceptional ball over the top. The Swedish striker is denied by Cardinale, and the ball nearly falls for Cavani on the follow up, but Baysse makes a crucial intervention.
11'
MILES WIDE! Ben Arfa with a lovely bit of skill to open up space for a shot, but he gets his final effort all wrong in the end. Meanwhile, Thiago Motta goes down in the area pleading for a foul, but the replay indicates it was an innocent coming together with Hult that the Italian is trying to turn into something more.
9'
Excellent tempo shown from Nice as some encouraging play in attack sees them successive corners. Ben Arfa finds himself at the heart of both moves, the latter of which sees a threatening strike from range deflected behind by Marquinhos.
7'
STAT: PSG’s run of scoring at least a goal in 26 consecutive league matches came to an end on Tuesday as they were held to a goalless draw at Angers.
5'
Dangerous from Kurzawa! Ben Arfa gives chase to a loose ball, but the PSG left-back arrives first. Instead of playing the ball forward and clearing their lines, he tries to dribble past the forward and puts himself under great pressure as he gives the ball away. He goes to ground cynically and manages to fool the referee, however, who awards the visitors a free kick.
3'
Nice are very much committed to playing with a back three, which will put so much responsibility square on the shoulders of Genevois - a late addition to the team with Pied hurt in warmups - and Hult to track back along the flanks with PSG playing with a clear front three. Should either wide man for Nice neglect their defensive responsibilities, there will be acres of space for the likes of Cavani and Di Maria to navigate.
1'
Nice get us underway, kicking left to right.
Hello Ligue 1 fans around the world and welcome to our live coverage of Nice and PSG from the Allianz Riviera, as Laurent Blanc’s men look to build upon their convincing lead atop the table. Les Parisiens slipped up midweek as they were held to a draw by Angers, only the third time all season they dropped points in the league, ending a convincing run for of four-consecutive victories across all competitions. The good news for the capital club is they have a remarkable 13-point cushion atop the table and will likely have the title all but wrapped up in time for the start of the Champions League knockout stage.
Nice are writing their own impressive story this season, with 25 points from 16 matches. Their surprising start has left them just a point back on Lyon as they set their sights on a spot in European competition next season. To ask them to keep up this form through until May could well be a tall order, and continuing to stay above the likes of Monaco and Marseille may be a pipe dream – but no one seems to have told Claude Puel and his team that as they continue to string together results.
NICE (3-4-2): Cardinale; Baysse, Bodmer, Le Marchand; Pied, Koziello, Seri, N. Mendy, Hult; Ben Arfa, Germain.
SUBS: Puel, Hassen, Benrahma, A. Mendy, Wallyson, Genevois, Boscagli.
Laurent Blanc continues to do an excellent job of rotating his squad and giving his depth of players first-team minutes. The bench boss makes another four changes to his team this evening from the side which were held 0-0 at Angers. Marquinhos and Layvin Kurzawa are back in defence at the expense of David Luiz and Maxwell, while Benjamin Stambouli replaces Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns after a deserved rest on Tuesday, taking back his spot up top, while forcing Lucas to the bench after an underwhelming performance.
At the other end of the pitch, Claude Puel has made a staggering six changes to his starting lineup following their draw at Lorient on Tuesday, which saw the coach rest many of their first-team regulars in anticipation of this clash with the league leaders. Back into the XI are Mathieu Bodmer, Jeremy Pied, Vincent Koziello, Jean Seri, Hatem Ben Arfa and Valere Germain, all of whom - with the exception of Bodmer - have at least 13 appearances to their name this season. Dropped from the starting lineup to give way are Romain Genevois, Ricardo Pereira, Wallyson Mallmann, Stephan Raheriharimanana, Paulin Puel and Alexandre Mendy,
A wildly-entertaining first half comes to a close at the Allianz Riviera, but hardly the way Nice would have liked. The hosts started so well and were arguably the better team through the opening half-hour, but they found themselves behind after 35 minutes and are now two goals down - as well as a man short - as Ibrahimovic doubled PSG's lead from the spot following Hult's sending off.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a role in all three goals as Les Parisiens walk all over Claude Puel's club at the Allianz Riviera, with Niklas Hult seeing red in the first half. Laurent Blanc's side widen their lead atop the table in the process and improve upon their record start to a Ligue 1 season.
That's all for our coverage from Nice, thank you all for joining us here today. Good bye!
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