PLAYER RATINGS | Le Havre 0-1 Nantes – Les Canaris closer to safety after Kader Bamba’s injury-time stunner

In a game with huge consequences in the battle to avoid the drop in Ligue 1, a brilliant solo-effort from substitute Kader Bamba in the 93rd minute saw Nantes open up a vital three-point gap over the afternoon’s hosts Le Havre.

Les Canaris kicked-off the match on the front foot, with Mustafa Mohamed particularly causing issues early with his pace in-behind the HAC backline. Mohamed had a great chance, breaking through the middle and sent through on goal – yet the Egyptian international’s square ball to Abline was intercepted.

Sabbi was released into the box and looked as if he beat Lafont with a deft chip, but it fell the wrong side of the post. Les Canaris reacted instantly, as Mathis Abline struck from range with a driven shot that had to be palmed away carefully by Desmas. The pattern of flurried attacks from the away side continued, as Mollet forced Desmas into another save which was almost turned into the net on the rebound. 

By half time the away side would be happier, having grown forcibly into the game with more chances, possession and danger. Yet Le Havre manager Luka Elsner’s team talk must’ve had some role in the Marine et Ciel’s quick start in the second period, threatening through Ayew, Sabbi, and substitute Josué Casimir. Despite Mohamed still providing a threat in-behind, Nantes became much more subdued.

Yet, Les Canaris would get a golden chance to open the scoring on the 66th minute, as Abline was played through one-on-one with Desmas on the counter-attack – but his effort was saved and bounced excruciatingly just wide of the post. Le Havre would keep pushing, as André Ayew cut inside and his shot just dragged wide. 

As the match drew into its final quarter, an error from Lafont would see Sabbi cross