Balotelli's stunner leaves Nice on top of Ligue 1

After eight games, Les Aiglons sit one point clear of second place AS Monaco

PARIS: A superb Mario Balotelli strike four minutes from time gave Nice a 2-1 win over Lorient on Sunday that left them top of Ligue 1 going into the international break.

Ricardo Pereira put Nice in front on the Cote d'Azur but Benjamin Moukandjo equalised in the second half and it looked as if Lucien Favre's side would have to settle for a draw until Balotelli bent in a brilliant late winner.

The Italy striker's afternoon ended on a sour note however, as he was sent off in the stoppage time after picking up a pair of yellow cards in quick succession.

Brazilian defender Dante was quick to spring to Balotelli's defence, adamant that his team-mate had done nothing to warrant his dismissal following a brief altercation with Lorient full-back Steven Moreira. "I don't understand Mario's sending off. I spoke to him about it. The opponent provoked him, he didn't react. I don't see any behaviour warranting a booking," said Dante.

Beaten 5-2 in Russia by Krasnodar in the Europa League on Thursday, this result got Nice back on track and maintained their impressive unbeaten record domestically so far.

After eight games, they sit a point clear of local rivals Monaco, who beat Metz 7-0 away on Saturday to record their biggest ever away win in France's top flight.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are third, four points adrift of the leaders, following a 2-0 defeat of Bordeaux on Saturday in which Edinson Cavani scored twice to take his tally for the season to eight league goals.