Fisayo Dele-Bashiru provided his first assist of the season as Lazio recorded an emphatic 6-2 victory over 10-man Sassuolo at the MAPEI Stadium on Tuesday to move to the top of the Serie A table.
The Super Eagles midfielder, who scored his first goal of the season against Juventus, continued his impressive form after coming on at half-time, helping Gennaro Gattuso’s side seal a statement win and extend their unbeaten start to the league campaign.
Lazio made a flying start as Kenneth Taylor opened the scoring in the second minute, but Sassuolo responded five minutes later when defender Josip Šutalo turned the ball into his own net to restore parity.
The visitors regained their lead in the 13th minute through Gustav Isaksen before Romano Floriani extended their advantage three minutes later to make it 3-1.
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Sassuolo’s hopes of mounting a comeback suffered a major setback in the 31st minute when Kristian Thorstvedt received a straight red card for a late challenge on Mattia Zaccagni.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the hosts reduced the deficit through Sebastiano Esposito in the 43rd minute. However, Zaccagni restored Lazio’s two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time, making it 4-2 in a thrilling first half.
Dele-Bashiru was introduced at the interval, replacing Taylor, while Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana came on for Sassuolo’s Darryl Bakola.
Lazio had an opportunity to extend their lead in the 50th minute after Simone Cinquegrano handled Zaccagni’s curling effort inside the penalty area. However, the Lazio captain saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Stefano Turati.
Zaccagni quickly made amends for his missed penalty, turning provider six minutes later as Tijjani Noslin found the net to increase Lazio’s lead to 5-2.
The visitors were awarded another penalty in the 61st minute after Isaksen was brought down by Duje Caleta-Car, but Turati once again came to Sassuolo’s rescue, denying Davide Frattesi from the spot.
Lazio eventually found their sixth goal in the 65th minute, with Dele-Bashiru providing the assist for Noslin to complete his brace.
The visitors continued to threaten in the closing stages but were unable to add to their tally as they secured a statement victory away from home.
The result takes Lazio to 25 points after eight wins in nine league matches, moving them to the top of the Serie A standings. However, they could drop to second place if reigning champions Inter defeat Venezia on Wednesday.
Sassuolo, meanwhile, remain 14th with eight points after suffering their third consecutive defeat. They are now without a win in five matches and could slip further down the table depending on the results of Monza and Genoa who sit 15th and 16th respectively.
Lazio will look to extend their unbeaten run when they host Cagliari on Sunday, November 1, while Sassuolo will aim to return to winning ways when they welcome Fiorentina on Monday, November 2.
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