Lazio go top of Serie A after six-goal win at Sassuolo

Lazio moved to the top of Serie A after producing a dominant second-half display to beat 10-man Sassuolo 6-2 at the Mapei Stadium on Tuesday night.

Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru played a key role after replacing Kenneth Taylor at half-time, assisting Tijjani Noslin’s second goal and helping Lazio control the match after the break.

The result lifted Lazio to 25 points from nine matches, putting them clear at the summit before Inter’s midweek fixture against Venezia. Sassuolo stayed 14th on eight points and extended their winless run.

Lazio made a rapid start, taking the lead in the second minute when Kenneth Taylor finished sharply. Sassuolo responded five minutes later, although reports differed over whether Kristian Thorstvedt scored or Josip Sutalo turned the ball into his own net.

The visitors restored their advantage through Gustav Isaksen in the 13th minute, before Romano Floriani Mussolini added a third three minutes later. It was his first senior goal for Lazio.

Sassuolo’s position worsened in the 31st minute when Thorstvedt was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge. Despite being reduced to 10 players, the hosts pulled one back just before half-time through Sebastiano Esposito.

Lazio regained their two-goal advantage in first-half stoppage time, with Mattia Zaccagni heading home to give Gennaro Gattuso’s side a 4-2 lead at the interval.

Dele-Bashiru’s introduction added energy and composure to Lazio’s midfield. The midfielder had scored his first goal of the season against Juventus days earlier and again demonstrated why his influence is growing within the team.

He completed 39 of 40 passes as Lazio dictated the tempo, while his forward movement helped the visitors maintain pressure despite Sassuolo’s efforts to recover.

Tijjani Noslin made it 5-2 in the 55th minute, finishing a move created by Zaccagni. Lazio were then awarded two penalties, but Sassuolo goalkeeper Stefano Turati saved both, denying attempts from Zaccagni and Davide Frattesi.

Those misses failed to unsettle Lazio, who continued to control the contest. Dele-Bashiru supplied his assist in the 65th minute, finding Noslin, who struck a superb long-range effort into the top corner to complete his brace.

The victory underlined Lazio’s attacking strength, with Isaksen and Zaccagni also contributing and Dele-Bashiru providing control and creativity after the interval. Their six-goal performance sends them to the top of the early Serie A standings, although Inter can return to the summit with victory over Venezia.

For Sassuolo, Thorstvedt’s dismissal compounded a difficult evening. Dele-Bashiru’s display will encourage both Lazio and Nigeria as he continues to establish himself in Italy following his return from injury.