Lazio thrash 10-man Sassuolo 6-2 to go top of Serie A as Noslin scores twice
Tijjani Noslin scored twice as Lazio hit six at the Mapei Stadium, moving provisionally top of Serie A with 25 points from nine games.
Lazio are top of Serie A after a 6-2 win at Sassuolo on Tuesday night that opened the midweek ninth round. Tijjani Noslin scored twice after the break, and Sassuolo had to play most of the game with ten men. The win takes Lazio to 25 points from nine matches, though they could be passed by Inter, who play Venezia on Wednesday evening in Italy, early on Thursday morning in Malaysia.
Four goals before half-time
Lazio started fast at the Mapei Stadium. Kenneth Taylor scored in the second minute, and although Sassuolo were level by the seventh, the visitors soon took over. Gustav Isaksen restored the lead after 13 minutes. Three minutes later Romano Floriani Mussolini scored his first Serie A goal.
Sassuolo's task got harder in the 31st minute, when Kristian Thorstvedt was sent off for a late challenge on Mattia Zaccagni. Sebastiano Esposito still pulled one back for the hosts just before the break, but Zaccagni restored the two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time to make it 4-2.
Noslin finishes the job
Lazio could have scored even more. Sassuolo goalkeeper Stefano Turati saved a penalty from Zaccagni in the 50th minute and another from Davide Frattesi just after the hour.
Noslin made sure the missed penalties did not matter. He scored the fifth after 55 minutes from a Zaccagni pass, then added the sixth 10 minutes later, set up by half-time substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. It was the Nigerian midfielder's first assist of the season.
What it means for the table
Lazio have won eight of their nine league games, and this was one of their most complete performances. Roma also won on Tuesday, beating Cagliari 4-2 to move to 21 points, while Inter sit on 22 points with a game in hand. A win for Inter against Venezia would put them top, with Lazio dropping to second.
For Sassuolo, the defeat continues a poor run. It was their third league loss in a row and their fifth league game without a win. They stay 14th on eight points, just above Monza and Genoa.
Round nine so far
Tuesday was a big night for goals in Serie A. As well as Lazio's six and Roma's four, Como came from behind to win 3-1 at Torino, scoring all three of their goals after the 80th minute. Che Adams had given Torino the lead before Jacobo Ramon, Nico Paz and Martin Baturina turned it around. The rest of the round is played on Wednesday and Thursday Italian time, with Inter's home game against Venezia the most important for the title race.
Key takeaways
- Lazio won 6-2 at Sassuolo to go provisionally top of Serie A with 25 points.
- Taylor, Isaksen, Floriani Mussolini and Zaccagni scored in the first half, and Noslin scored twice in the second.
- Sassuolo's Kristian Thorstvedt was sent off in the 31st minute.
- Stefano Turati saved two second-half penalties.
- Inter can go top by beating Venezia on Wednesday.
FAQ
What was the score between Sassuolo and Lazio? Lazio won 6-2 away from home, after leading 4-2 at half-time.
Who scored twice for Lazio? Tijjani Noslin, with goals in the 55th and 65th minutes.
Are Lazio top of Serie A? Yes, provisionally, on 25 points. Inter, on 22 points, can overtake them by beating Venezia in their game in hand.
Sources: AFP via Africa Soccer, Bold Sports, 112.ua, Gulf News, LiveScore