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Vieira calls out 'less than average' Balotelli after narrow Nice win

The striker is yet to score or assist a goal this season and cut a frustrated figure as he was taken off with 15 minutes to go on Saturday

Nice coach Patrick Vieira has called out striker Mario Balotelli for a "less than average" performance in their 1-0 win at Nimes on Saturday.

The visitors had an early numerical advantage as Faitout Maouassa was sent off with his second yellow card just 20 minutes into the game, before Nimes team-mate Loic Landre was shown a red just before half-time.

Still, it took until after the hour mark for Nice to find the lead through Youcef Atal, whose goal proved enough to earn Nice a third consecutive win in Ligue 1.