Watch: Balotelli slips during 20-yard finish to continue hot streak

Is Mario Balotelli back?

The OGC Nice new boy bagged his fifth strike in four competitive outings to bring the Alpes-Maritimes outfit to within a goal of Russia's Krasnodar in Thursday's Europa League group stage bouts.

While the charismatic Italian is still some way from reaching the heights of four years ago - when he played a pivotal part in Manchester City winning its first title in 44 years, before inspiring Italy to the Euro 2012 finals - his return to form has helped lift Nice to the summit of Ligue 1.