An early goal was enough to give AC Chievo Verona a 1-0 win over Cagliari Calcio, who finished the match with nine men, in Serie A this evening.
The hosts were ahead just over 10 minutes into the match as Alberto Paloschi picked out Riccardo Meggiorini with a long ball forward, leaving the latter to smash the ball in from just a couple of yards out.
Cagliari started to see more of the ball as the first half progressed, but Paul-Jose M'Poku could only fire over, while a Nicola Murru cross failed to find any of his teammates.
Duje Cop had the best chance of the first half for the visitors when he controlled a lofted pass into the penalty area, but he rushed his shot, smashing it straight at Albano Bizzarri in the Chievo goal.
Cagliari continued to push after the break, with Modibo Diakite bursting into the box before being forced wide, while Marco Sau lost control of the ball in the area.
Despite the visitors seeing more of the ball at the start of the second half, it was the home side who had it in the back of the net with just over 15 minutes remaining, but Paloschi's strike was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
Any hopes Cagliari had of finding a late equaliser were dealt a blow when Murru was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Mariano Izco.
Things got worse just a couple of minutes later as Andrea Cossu was shown his second yellow of the evening for a foul on Sergio Pellissier, reducing the visitors to nine men.
Pellissier could have added a second in stoppage time, but his strike from the middle of the box was saved, while Diego Farias had a chance blocked down the other end with just a few seconds remaining.
The result moves Chievo up to 12th in the table, while Cagliari remain in the relegation zone, eight points from safety.
Sian Cowper
