Narrow win for Evian

Evian climbed to 15th in the Ligue 1 standings courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory, ending Rennes' four-match winning run.

Evian climbed to 15th in the Ligue 1 standings courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory at the Stade de la Route de Lorient, ending Rennes' four-match winning run. Substitute Zouheir Dhaouadi netted the game's only goal 11 minutes from time to earn the visitors only their fourth win of the campaign. The result left Rennes seventh in the standings and booed off by their fans - in stark contrast to last weekend's heroics, when they defeated Paris St Germain 2-1 at the Parc des Princes. Despite the hosts heading into the match on a high, it was the visitors who mustered the better of the early chances. Mohammed Rabiu released Fabrice Ehret, who got past Chris Mavinga and unleashed his shot in the 12th minute only for goalkeeper Cheick N'Diaye to make the block. Ten minutes later Ehret went close again, this time his stunning volley kept out by the crossbar. Spurred into action by that let-off, Rennes went straight up the other end and twice went close in quick succession but could not find a way past Evian keeper Bertrand Laquait. First Mevlut Erdinc saw his effort from Julien Feret's cross saved, then Romain Alessandrini had a low shot scrambled away. The woodwork came to the visitors' rescue six minutes before the break, Aldo Angoula almost heading into his own goal from Jonathan Pitroipa's cross. Rennes had another chance soon after the restart when Feret freed Erdinc but Laquait again won the duel. But Evian too were continuing to create their share of opportunities, Youssef Adnane's blast cleared off the line by defender Kevin Theophile Catherine just after the hour mark. And the deadlock was finally broken in the 79th minute. Brice Dja Djedje pounced on a poor header by Mavinga in the penalty area and fed Dhaouadi, who prodded home from close range. The home team went close to equalising in stoppage time but Laquait managed to avert the danger after Romain Danze had been put through by Pitroipa.