Catania 4 : 0 Genoa - Barrientos at double in Catania romp

Pablo Barrientos scored twice as Catania claimed their first win of 2012 in style after disposing of Genoa 4-0.

Genoa went into the game on the back of two straight wins but found themselves a goal down after just seven minutes through Francesco Lodi's penalty.

Barrientos then netted a quickfire double in the 49th and 52nd minutes, before Gonzalo Bergessio rounded off the scoring 10 minutes later.

Barrientos could have been on the scoresheet as early as the second minute when he fired at goal from Giovanni Marchese's pass, but Sebastien Frey saved.

Catania were given the perfect opportunity five minutes later though when Walter Birsa fouled Alejandro Gomez in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Lodi took full advantage, firing the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.

Another great pass from Marchese played in Gomez after 10 minutes, but he shot wide.

Genoa finally created a couple of chances midway through the half as Bosko Jankovic shot off target, then crossed for Andreas Gronqvist, whose header was saved by Thomas Kosicky.

After 33 minutes Kosicky produced a fine save to keep out Giandomenico Mesto's 20-yard free-kick.

Catania grabbed a second four minutes into the second half when Barrientos fired low into the bottom right - and he added another three minutes later, latching on to Bergessio's pass on a swift counter-attack.

And it was Bergessio himself who added the fourth, latching on to a great long pass from Kosicky and firing past Frey.