French Ligue 1: Evian edge verdict over Nice

Evian moved off the foot of the Ligue 1 table after ending a three-game losing run with a 1-0 victory over Nice.

The Thonon-les-Bains-based club had not scored during their recent bad slump but they moved out of the bottom three thanks to Daniel Wass' superb free-kick.

The Denmark international found the top corner in the 76th minute to condemn Nice to back-to-back defeats, following their loss to Lyon last week.

It was the home side who started brightly as some inventive play between Cedric Barbosa and Gianni Bruno ended with the latter's strike just going wide.

From then on, though, Claude Puel's men dominated the opening half, with Alassane Plea swooping on Jesper Juelsgard's clearance before his strike was saved by Jesper Hansen, who denied the Nice winger again shortly afterwards.

Hansen then made it a trio of important saves when he managed to keep out Carlos Eduardo's strike from inside the area.

The home side came out stronger after the interval and Barbosa's free-kick forced Nice custodian Mouez Hassen to tip away, while at the other end Hansen made a smart save from another Carlos Eduardo drive.

But Evian were starting to get on top and Wass was central to their hopes of breaking the deadlock.

His low drive from just outside the area was well saved by Hassen, whose poor clearance shortly afterwards allowed the winger in but the Nice shot-stopper made amends by reclaiming the ball at the attacker's feet.

Wass would not be denied for a third time, though, and he broke the deadlock in the most emphatic fashion 14 minutes from time, curling home from 25 yards and leaving Hassen with no chance.

Evian were left with a nervy final few minutes but they were rarely threatened as they clung on for an important win.