Saint-Etienne beats Rennes, now 5th in Ligue 1

Saint-Etienne ended a run of five French league games without a win by beating Montpellier. (Laurent Cipriani/AP)

PARIS — Saint-Etienne claimed a first away win in more than four months and moved up to fifth in the French league standings with a 1-0 victory at Rennes on Thursday.

Both teams struggled to create chances before defender Moustapha Bayal Sall netted the winner in the 74th minute with a header at the back post.

The strike earned Saint-Etienne its first league win away from Geoffroy Guichard stadium since Sept. 23, and lifted it to within six points of second-place Monaco.

Runaway leader Paris Saint-Germain has a 24-point lead at the top of the standings.

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