Saint-Etienne have overcome Evian TG thanks to Romain Hamouma's first-half strike at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

The result sees Les Verts jump to fourth in Ligue 1.

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Bertrand Laquait was at full stretch to deny Franck Tabanou's long-range strike from bursting the net in the 13th minute, although he could do nothing to prevent Hamouma from putting the hosts ahead nine minutes later.

The midfielder's initial effort was spilled by Laquait, and he was allowed to tap home after Jonathan Mensah failed to deal with the rebound.

Tabanou then brought the best out in Laquait once again as the home side threatened to extend their advantage.

Jonathan Brison should have put Christophe Galtier's men 2-0 ahead moments before the break, but his shot from Hamouma's supply was a poor one.

The visitors started the second half brightly and nearly drew level when Brice Djadjedje wriggled between two markers to get a header in on goal, but Stephane Ruffier saw it safely over the top.

Brandao had a chance to wrap up the points in the 82nd minute, but blazed over the target from inside the box.

He was nearly punished for that miss two minutes later, only for Ruffier to come to his rescue with a brilliant save to keep out Modou Sougou's back-post effort.