Marseille have been the much better team than Nice in this smaller derby match in Ligue 1, but some bad luck and some tough play from Nice have the match level at 1-1 at halftime. Both teams should probably have at least one more goal, but unfortunately, the referee has had a pretty large negative effect on this game thus far.
Marseille Vs. Nice: 1-1 Halftime, A Good Game With A Poor Referee
In the 22nd minute, Marseille forward Andre Ayew was clearly fouled in the box, but no penalty was granted by the referee. It was as clear of a penalty as you’ll ever see, but it was not granted, and Ayew looked rather confused. However, a bit of Karma would strike eight minutes later, as Ayew scored after tapping in a mishandled ball by Nice goalkeeper David Ospina.
Just one minute later, Nice should have been level. Eric Mouloungui was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Souleymane Diawara, but the referee granted a direct free kick from 19 yards out. The ensuing free kick was blocked by an intentional handball by a player in the wall, but once again, a penalty was not given.
Nice would get an equalizer, though, in the 42nd minute. After a scramble on a corner kick, the ball fell to Abdou Traore, who smashed the ball into the back of the net to level the score and notch his first goal in a Nice shirt.
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