Sylvain Marveaux scored the only goal of the game as Rennes found the winning touch against St. Etienne. The Red and Blacks had drawn their previous three league matches but, after again dominating the match, Marveaux made the crucial breakthrough in the 62nd minute.

It was the visitors who engineered the first clear chance in the 14th minute. A corner was poorly defended by Rennes and Blaise Matuidi fired in a shot that was well kept out by Nicolas Douchez.

The hosts responded midway through the half, with Jerome Leroy bringing a good save out of St. Etienne keeper Jeremy Janot. Leroy then turned provider with a fizzing corner that Romain Danze could only direct off target.

Rennes began the second half in positive fashion and again the chance fell to Leroy. Janot flapped at Asamoah Gyan's cross, but the Rennes man shot past the post. Ismael Bangoura was the next to try his luck after he had been played in by Junichi Inamoto's superb pass. Janot made no mistake this time, though.

The visiting keeper was fast becoming the busiest player on the pitch and he saved his team again in the 61st minute when he kept out Moussa Sow's header. He was finally beaten a minute later, however, Rod Fanni and Sow combining to set up Marveaux, who tucked the ball away.

St. Etienne came within inches of an equaliser in the 78th minute when Boubacar Sanogo's header from Emmanuele Riviere's cross hit the bar. They could easily have conceded a second eight minutes from time, though, Sow also striking the woodwork.