Nice made a fast start when, after playing a superb through ball to Evann Guessand that was cleared by Steve Mandanda, Tanguy Ndombele repeated the trick, and this time around, Guessand held off Mikayil Faye to finish past Mandanda.
In the aftermath of that opener, the hosts looked relatively comfortable, but they were stung midway through the first half as Rennes attacked from back to front, with Ludovic Blas’ wonderfully measured pass finding Armand Kalimuendo, who fired past the advancing Marcin Bulka.
Given their poor form on the road, what Rennes needed after levelling the scores was to remain composed. Unfortunately though, having started the move that led to the equaliser, Mandanda saw his weak pass land straight at the feet of Sofiane Diop, who smashed home gleefully to re-establish Les Aiglons’ lead.
Then came the decisive blow on the stroke of half-time, as Adrien Truffert neglected to cross for Lorenz Assignon when the chance presented itself and duly lost possession.
Nice saw the opportunity to punish their opponents and did so with aplomb, culminating in Guessand clipping the perfect cross into the path of former Rennes forward Gaëtan Laborde, who produced an excellent sliding finish.
Rennes boss Jorge Sampaoli acted decisively at the break, bringing on ex-Nice attacker Amine Gouiri, but it was Truffert who soon halved the deficit, tapping in after Assignon’s drive had been poorly parried by Bułka.
Big-money debutant Seko Fofana was next to enter the fray for the visitors as they sensed that they might be able to get a result, while Guessand could’ve put the game beyond doubt, but instead flopped to ground having been fed by the lively Ndombele, before Mandanda did well to keep out Hicham Boudaoui’s vicious effort.
However, Nice held on for victory despite substitute Pablo Rosario being sent off late on for catching Kalimuendo in the chest with his boot, and they remain unbeaten at home in Ligue 1 this term (W5, D3) ahead of a trip to Stade de Reims next Saturday, while Rennes welcome high-flying Olympique de Marseille to Roazhon Park later the same day.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Tanguy Ndombele (Nice)