Lazio have won their second successive match in Serie A by beating Sassuolo 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon.
The hosts took the lead in the ninth minute when Stefano Mauri was found in space outside the box and fired a low strike into the bottom corner.
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They added a second in the 25th minute through Filip Djordjevic, who rose highest to power in a header from Antonio Candreva's cross.
Sassuolo pulled a goal back just a minute later, as Domenico Berardi raced onto Nicola Sansone's pass and slotted an effort past the keeper.
Simone Zaza almost brought the visitors level soon after, but his curling effort struck the outside of the post.
Lazio then restored their two-goal advantage in the 35th minute when Candreva fired home a loose ball from close range.
Five minutes after the break the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Lorik Cana picked up his second booking for bringing Berardi down inside the box.
Berardi stepped up to take the resulting penalty and made no mistake with a confident finish into the corner.
Francesco Magnanelli came close to a third goal for the visitors minutes later, but his volleyed effort was tipped over the bar by Federico Marchetti.
Just past the hour mark Sassuolo found themselves down to 10 men after Federico Peluso was given his second yellow of the match.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes the visitors had another great chance to equalise, but Alessandro Longhi's header was saved at point-blank range by Marchetti.
Miroslav Klose almost scored a fourth for Lazio, but his low effort was palmed away by the keeper.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, they were unable to find a way past Marchetti for a third time as Lazio held on to claim the three points.
Alex Meyers
