Lazio survive Cagliari scare

Lazio held off a late fightback from 10-man Cagliari to earn a 4-2 victory and move up to third in the Serie A table.

The hosts made the breakthrough in the seventh minute of the match when Lucas Biglia's strike deflected kindly into the path of Stefano Mauri, who was on hand to poke in an effort from close range.

© Getty Images

Daniele Conti came close to bringing Cagliari level, but his curling free kick from just outside the box went inches over the bar.

Lazio doubled their advantage in the 25th minute when Miroslav Klose sidefooted home Senad Lulic's header back across goal.

It took the hosts less than a minute to further extend their lead as Klose was found in space by Lulic, before slotting an effort past Alessio Cragno, via the aid of a slight deflection.

Cagliari pulled a goal back three minutes into the second half when Edson Braafheid turned the ball into his own net following a goalmouth scramble.

Federico Marchetti then had to rush off his line quickly to block an effort from Victor Ibarbo, before Lorenzo Crisetig blazed the rebound over the bar.

The visitors were dealt a blow in the 72nd minute after Ibarbo was shown a straight red card following a clash with Lulic.

However, Cagliari continued to press forward and they pulled another goal back in the 84th minute when Joao Pedro turned the ball in from close range.

Despite late pressure from the visitors, Lazio scored a fourth in stoppage time when Ederson tapped home Antonio Candreva's cross to seal the three points.