Lazio runs riot to go top of Serie A
Lazio moved back to the top of Serie A after thrashing 10-man Sassuolo 6-2 at MAPEI Stadium.
Despite seeing two penalties saved in the second half, Gennaro Gattuso's side remains unbeaten in the league this season, but could drop down to second when reigning champions Inter face Venezia.
It was a breathless start, with Kenneth Taylor scoring after just two minutes before Kristian Thorstvedt levelled for the host side, beating Christos Mandas after a pinpoint pass from Josh Doig.
The goals continued to flow, but it was high-flying Lazio which started to take control as Gustav Isaksen's finish from a tight angle was followed up by a clinical strike from Romano Floriani Mussolini in the 16th minute.
Sassuolo was dealt a huge blow just after the half-hour mark as Thorstvedt was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Mattia Zaccagni, and though Sebastiano Esposito pulled a goal back for Albero Aquilani's side, Zaccagni restored Lazio's two-goal lead on the stroke of half-time.
The second half followed suit with plenty of goalmouth action, though it all came in Sassuolo's box.
Lazio was awarded a penalty after Simone Cinquegrano blocked Zaccagni's curler with his arm, but the Lazio captain saw his weak penalty saved by Stefano Turati.
The Sassuolo goalkeeper could do nothing in the 55th minute when Tijjani Noslin bent into the bottom-right corner from range, but Turati did manage to save another spot-kick, this time denying Davide Frattesi after Isaksen was hacked down by Duje Caleta-Car.
Nevertheless, Lazio continued to pile on the pressure and Noslin got his second 10 minutes after his first, this time rifling into the top-right corner from distance, leaving Turati with no chance.
Matteo Cancellieri squandered two golden opportunities late on, first heading wide while completely unmarked at the back post before seeing a low drive blocked in the six-yard box, as Lazio could not improve their goal difference any further.
