Saint Etienne won their first match at Roazhon Park in over 10 years as the visitors narrowly overcame Rennes by a single goal.
The only goal of the match presented itself late into the second half when centre-back Moustapha Sall rose up at the back post to head in from a Renaud Cohade free kick.
Rennes came into the match following a drubbing away to Bordeaux on Sunday afternoon while Saint Etienne were beaten by champions Paris Saint Germain.
Both keepers got a free first half ticket
Les Verts got off to a good start from kick off and had the greatest share in possession between the two sides. Kevin Monnet-Paquet was the brightest player on the park and overcame an early injury scare to put in a decent performance. The former Lorient winger had the first shot on target when his dragged shot from the edge of the box was saved by Benoit Costil in goal for Rennes.
Rennes did little to threaten Stephane Ruffier, the Saint Etienne keeper, as his defence restricted the Bretons to very few chances. However, whenever there was an element of danger, Ruffier was brave throughout and put in a stellar performance between the sticks.
A better second half with more chances
Having been largely isolated during the first half, Rennes manager, Rolland Courbis substituted winger, Paul-Georges Ntep, for the start of the second period to tighten up the centre of midfield.
Chances were few and far between after the restart with it taking until 10 minutes until the first opportunity. Ex-Rennes full-back, Kevin Theophile Catherine crossed low to Alexander Soderlund deep into the box. The Norwegian striker knocked the ball towards goal but the pressure on him by Pedro Mendes sent the shot wide of the mark.
Not long after, Rennes bypassed arguably their best opportunity of the match. Following a promising attacking move along the border of the box, Jeremie Boga put a shot over the bar from 15 yards. The on-loan Chelsea forward put too much back lift on the shot and it went over the bar.
Saint Etienne were awarded for their match dominance when they went ahead 17 minutes from the end of the match. Cohade's crossed free kick from the right was sent to the back post which allowed Sall to get above Romain Danze to head straight by Costil. The Sainté captain used his height and dominance in the air to his full advantage to notch home.
Rennes almost responded immediately through substitute, Giovanni Sio, but bad decision making on his part sent the ball by the post. Cheikh M'Bengue weighted an inviting pass across the box to the Ivorian striker but the follow up shot was poorly hit and dragged wide.
Post match significance
The win for Saint Etienne puts them on 5th place in what is a competitive Ligue 1 table with a third of the season still to play. Rennes drop to ninth place but are still well within catching distance of a European spot.
At full time, Sall said: "We are happy this evening. Previously, we couldn't find our form of last season. It was serious until the end. This is the work of the whole team."
This weekend sees Rennes travel to Lille to play a match which will be entertaining for the neutral while Saint Etienne travel to Bordeaux both on Sunday afternoon.