Lazio 3 : 2 US Sassuolo Calcio - Candreva strike spurs Lazio

Posted Sunday, October 05, 2014 by PA

Ten-man Lazio edged Sassuolo 3-2 on Sunday to secure back-to-back Serie A wins for the first time this season.

Goals from Stefano Mauri and Filip Djordjevic put the Romans 2-0 up after 25 minutes and, although Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi swiftly reduced the deficit, Antonio Candreva restored the hosts' two-goal cushion before half-time.

Lazio had Lorik Cana sent off four minutes into the second half for a second yellow card after bringing down Berardi in the box. Berardi converted the resulting penalty, but the visitors could not find an equaliser and lost defender Federico Peluso to a red card on the hour mark to compound matters.

The outcome in Rome followed Lazio's 4-0 triumph at Palermo last time out and lifted the Biancoceleste to seventh place in the standings.

Sassuolo remained 19th in the standings, with three points - all from draws.

The visitors travelled to the Stadio Olimpico looking for their first win of the campaign and bolstered by the return of Berardi from a three-match suspension.

Lazio stormed into a ninth-minute lead when Mauri's fierce drive from 30 yards beat Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.

The home side pressed forward and were again rewarded when Djordjevic headed Candreva's cross past a helpless Consigli.

Sassuolo responded well, though, as Nicola Sansone set up Berardi in the box and his left-footed shot beat Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

The visitors were unlucky not to equalise in the 31st minute when Simone Zaza's 15-yard effort beat Marchetti but hit the far post.

Lazio made it 3-1 in the 35th minute, Candreva pounced on a loose ball and striking the ball from close range past Consigli.

The referee awarded Sassuolo a penalty after Berardi was downed by Cana and the frontman coolly despatched the spot-kick into the top-left corner of Marchetti's net.

Sassuolo's numerical superiority ended in the 61st minute when Peluso's harsh challenge on Candreva earned him a second yellow card.

The visitors never lost hope and almost equalised nine minutes from time but substitute Alessandro Longhi's powerful header from Berardi's cross was saved by Marchetti.