Strasbourg push on for back-to-back European runs with easy win against struggling Nice

In pursuit of successive European outings for just the second occasion in club history, Martial Godo nearly opened the scoring for the home team in the eighth minute with a powerful shot from distance that just cleared the bar by a tiny margin.

The home side kept pressing soon after the 15-minute mark, with Julio Enciso heading narrowly wide in a close call.

Gary O’Neils team maintained constant pressure up front, which ought to have resulted in the first goal around the 21st minute.

Yet Godo, stepping up as the main scorer for Strasbourg following the seasons top Ligue 1 goalgetter Joaquín Panichellis long-term knee absence, contrived to miss the near post.

The forward endured more disappointment shortly after, his header evading Yehvann Diouf yet striking the woodwork.

All the same, Godo got his moment in the 28th minute, benefiting from some woeful defending to nod in an unchallenged header past Diouf.

The Ivorian forwards boosted confidence evidently lifted the squad, as Enciso made it two goals to the good eight minutes on.

Set free by Samir El Mourabets incisive through ball, the Paraguayan international shrugged off his defender who ended up on the ground, rounded Diouf, and calmly slotted home into the unguarded goal.

A dismal opening period for the away team grew worse in the 42nd minute, El Mourabet curling a magnificent effort into the upper corner for 3-0.

Claude Puel responded decisively at the interval by introducing three fresh faces.

Even so, despite the Nice bosses attempts to spark a revival, Enciso wasted a golden chance to make it four early in the second half with a header sent astray.

Nice waited until the 63rd minute for Mike Penders involvement, but their initial meaningful attempt came as Elye Wahi shot directly at the young Chelsea keeper.

This spark of threat from the away side fuelled dreams of an unlikely rally, with Antoine Mendys exquisite long-range finish nestling in the bottom corner at the 82-minute mark.

In the end, it amounted to mere damage limitation, as Strasbourg controlled the closing stages to close the gap to three points behind sixth-placed AS Monaco.

Meanwhile, Nice hold a five-point buffer over the relegation playoff spot, persisting in their lacklustre fight to stay in Frances top flight for the first time in more than 20 years.