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Nine-man Sochaux staged a stunning fightback to claim their first victory of the season on Saturday, as two late Araujo Ilan goals in as many minutes secured a 2-1 success.
In a fiery encounter, Sochaux had their Brazilian defender Miranda sent off in the first half, before Florent Balmont received his marching orders to level up the numbers 19 minutes before the end. By that time, Sammy Traore had put Nice in the lead, but Ilan equalised from the spot on 74 minutes, then struck a dramatic winner just moments later.
In a frantic finish, Sochaux were reduced to nine men when Afolabi became the third player sent off two minutes before the end.
The game began with a series of late tackles and general foul play - and the referee M. Lhermite struggled to keep control. The worst of the early tackles came from Sochaux debutant Miranda - the Brazilian centre-back fortunate to see only yellow when he crashed into Nice striker Bakary Koné.
Sochaux looked desperate to turn in a good display after suffering two home defeats in their two opening games of the season - and they went close to scoring on eight minutes. Teenager Jérémy Menez fizzed a free kick over the Nice wall, only to see the ball rebound to safety off the underside of the bar.
Mickael Isabey then released Ilan through the middle, but Sochaux’s top scorer last season saw his low shot saved by the Nice ‘keeper Damien Grégorini. The Brazilian striker thought he had scored moments later, but his brilliant shot into the top corner was ruled out for a marginal offside.
Nice were playing with a three-pronged attack of Mamadou Bagayoko, Koné and Marama Vahirua but it seemed to leave them short in midfield and Sochaux continued to dominate the opening period. Grégorini was called into action again just shy of the half hour, this time reacting well to keep out Philippe Brunel’s volley.
Sochaux have not enjoyed much luck so far this season, however, and Nice duly took the lead from their first clear chance a minute before the interval. Teddy Richert did well to keep out Bagayoko’s header but Traoré was on hand to prod home to the delight of the Stade du Ray faithful.
In the second half Nice opted to defend in greater numbers, while Sochaux seemed intent on imposing themselves in a physical manner. They paid the penalty for their over-exuberance, though, as Miranda picked up his second booking to cap a disastrous debut with a red card on 55 minutes.
The visitors' task seemed beyond them until Balmont was sent off for a foul inside the area. Replays showed that the infringement was non-existant and the Nice fans reacted furiously, throwing objects onto the pitch and delaying Sochaux's penalty from being taken. Ilan kept his cool to score, before rubbing salt into the Nice wounds by converting a one-on-one two minutes later.
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