Wahi scores brace as Nice thump Saint Etienne in French Ligue 1 play-off / Photo: Valery HACHE - AFP
Wahi scores brace as Nice thump Saint Etienne in French Ligue 1 play-off
Elye Wahi's late brace helped Nice beat former French giants Saint Etienne 4-1 on Friday to retain their place in Ligue 1 and prevent the defeated visitors from gaining promotion from Ligue 2.
A season after finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League qualifying rounds, Nice suffered a dreadful slump that saw them finish in the relegation play-off spot.
But they salvaged their top flight status thanks in no small part to forward Wahi, who joined on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January.
Saint Etienne, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, finished third in Ligue 2 this season and came through a play-off against Rodez to face Nice.
After a 0-0 draw at Saint-Etienne on Tuesday, Friday's return leg was a more open encounter in an empty Allianz Riviera stadium, due to Nice being punished for previous crowd trouble.
Nice opened the scoring on 62 minutes through Jonathan Clauss.
Zuriko Davitashvili equalised from the penalty spot before Nice overran the visitors with a flurry of late goals.
Kail Boudache restored their lead on 81 minutes and then Wahi grabbed two more on the counter attack with time running out.
It was a rare positive note in an otherwise miserable season for Nice which saw them flop in Europe.
Although they reached the French Cup final, they were beaten 3-1 by Lens a week ago.
Ch.Thomson--EWJ
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