Lazio continued their outstanding start to the season by beating Sassuolo 6-2 at the Mapei Stadium, opening up a three-point lead at the top of Serie A.
The defeat extended Sassuolo’s winless run to five league matches, comprising one draw and four defeats. Their home ground had not been breached before Lazio’s visit, but the visitors took the lead after only two minutes.
Kenneth Taylor capitalised when Luca Lipani’s attempted clearance fell straight to him, firing the ball into the net. Sassuolo responded quickly, with Josh Doig finding Kristian Thorstvedt, whose deflected effort beat Christos Mandas five minutes later.
That was the first goal Lazio had conceded in the first half of a Serie A match this season. Their advantage was restored six minutes afterwards, when Gustav Isaksen met Mattia Zaccagni’s ball across the area with a superb first-time finish into the bottom corner.
The frenetic opening continued as Lazio added a third. Taylor’s cross reached Romano Floriani at the far post and he slid in to score his first senior goal for the club.
Sassuolo’s task became even harder when Thorstvedt was shown a red card for a studs-up challenge on Zaccagni. Armand Lauriente then appeared to reduce the deficit, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The hosts did score soon afterwards, Sebastiano Esposito producing an excellent finish beyond Mandas. Lazio restored their two-goal advantage in first-half stoppage time, Zaccagni heading in from Isaksen’s cross.
Lazio maintain control after the break
The pace did not drop after half-time. Sassuolo were punished for handball by Simone Cinquegrano after a VAR review, with referee Luca Zufferli awarding Lazio a penalty.
Zaccagni was unable to take advantage, however, as Stefano Turati comfortably saved his weak spot-kick.
Lazio soon found a fifth goal through Tijjani Noslin, who sent a precise right-footed finish into the bottom corner. They were awarded another penalty after Duje Caleta-Car pushed Isaksen inside the area, but changing the taker did not bring a different outcome. Turati saved Davide Frattesi’s attempt.
That miss had little effect on the result, with Noslin completing the scoring by driving a powerful right-footed effort from distance past Turati to give Gennaro Gattuso’s side a four-goal lead.
The result leaves Lazio three points clear at the summit and puts pressure on Inter before their away match against Venezia on Wednesday.
Sassuolo remain 14th, although their four-point advantage over the bottom three could be reduced over the next 24 hours.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)