Mario Balotelli: Liverpool flop and Nice star gets in Christmas spirit by donning Santa hat after hitting brace
Italian striker now has eight goals in eight games for new club and showed he's in a festive mood with novelty celebration
IT’S the season of cheer for Mario Balotelli as the resurgent striker donned a Santa hat after hitting a brace for Nice.
Liverpool flop Balotelli scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Dijon, helping his new team move seven points clear of Paris Saint-Germain in the race for the title.
Balotelli now has eight goals in as many games and showed he was feeling the festive love from the fans by putting on a Santa hat at the final whistle.
Nice have lost just once this season and were sure to be thrilled after watching current champs PSG slip to a shock 2-1 defeat to Guingamp on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s men have some work to do if they want to retain their title for yet another season.
But it appears Nice’s closest challenge will come from Monaco, who can move one point behind them with victory over Lyon tonight.
The principality team are in flying form and have struck an incredible 53 goals – 20 more than PSG and 19 more than Nice.
Many are putting their recent run down to Radamel Falcao, who is starting to find his best form again.
The Colombian struggled to make an impact in the Premier League but – like Balotelli – is becoming a regular at hitting the back of the net across the Channel.