The 26-year-old now has four goals in his first two games, finding the back of the net every 42 minutes on average.

Balotelli, in only his second league appearance, doubled the lead from just inside the box just after half an hour with a low shot after being perfectly set up by Younes Belhanda.

The former Liverpool and Milan striker, who scored only one goal in Serie A last season, scored his fourth in two league games by tapping in from Ricardo Pereira’s cross in the 69th minute.

Balotelli appears to be enjoying a career renaissance in France after two torrid seasons with Liverpool and AC Milan. The Italian scored just two league goals in two years, once in each campaign, which left him surplus to requirements at both clubs.

The ex-Manchester City man was substituted in the 78th minute before Nice were awarded a late penalty – although they missed the chance to make it 5-0 on the night.