LIGUE 1 : Mario Balotelli sent off after scoring late winner for Nice

Mario Balotelli scored a late winner before being sent off as Nice maintained their lead at the top of Ligue 1 with a 2-1 victory against Lorient.

Ricardo Pereira had handed the hosts a first-half lead with his first goal for the club but Benjamin Moukandjo struck just after the hour mark to level things up.

Balotelli's 85th-minute strike, his sixth goal since signing for Nice at the end of the summer transfer window, secured all three points for Les Aiglons before he was sent off shortly afterwards for a second yellow card. Six minutes after scoring the winning goal for Nice against Lorient, Mario Balotelli was sent off in controversial fashion.

**Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1