Vieira’s Nice carve close 1-0 win at Lyon

Paris: Mario Balotelli helped coach Patrick Vieira to his first success in the French league as Nice won at Lyon 1-0 on Friday.

Although Balotelli did not score, the Italy striker was a constant threat having missed the first three games of the season through suspension.

Nice did not win any of those, picking up only a draw as Vieira — a dominant midfielder with Arsenal, Juventus and France during his playing career — got off to a difficult start. Vieira was also indebted to recalled goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who made a several fine saves after winger Allan Saint-Maximin gave Nice a 51st-minute lead with a deflected strike inside the left of the penalty area.