Having celebrated only one win from their last six league matches after playing across Europe in midweek (D4, L1), Nice knew improvement was required if they wanted to finish in the top four for the first time in eight seasons.
And that’s what Franck Haise’s side did after just seven minutes, when, after a forgettable few seconds for Lilian Brassier, the Brestois loanee initially lost possession before regaining it but then inexplicably presented the ball to Cho, whose defence-splitting pass allowed Guessand to confidently slot home his 10th goal of the season across all competitions.
Also enjoying a stellar season in front of goal is Marseille’s Mason Greenwood, who leads the goalscoring charts with 12, and it was the in-form striker who came closest to manufacturing an equaliser eight minutes later, but his effort was eventually well-saved by Marcin Bulka.
Adrien Rabiot then came close to beating Bułka but the Polish shot-stopper was up to the challenge by redirecting the attacking midfielder’s strike to safety. Marseille’s concluding effort of the first half came in quick-fire fashion, with Quentin Merlin and then Valentin Rongier forcing Nice’s number one to preserve his clean sheet in expert style in a short space of time.
Already in the ascendancy, it got even neater for Nice six minutes into the second half, with Guessand this time turning provider as he put it on a plate for Cho to fire home beyond the grasp of Geronimo Rulli.
Rabiot called Bulka into action again not long after as he once more saw his effort from deep inside the area expertly kept from hitting the back of the net.
That would ultimately be the last meaningful talking point on the pitch as another Nice outing at the Allianz Riviera this season moves Haise’s side one point above LOSC Lille and straight into the UEFA Champions League qualification positions.
Meanwhile, only a second defeat on the road leaves Marseille 10 points behind current league leaders and defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Evann Guessand (OGC Nice)