Cagliari edge Sampdoria thanks to goalkeeping blunder

CAGLIARI substitute Federico Melchiorri (pix) pounced on a goalkeeping blunder to clinch a late 2-1 defeat of Sampdoria in a game that wrapped up the sixth round of the Italian Serie A season.

The striker scored with two minutes left after Samp goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano incredibly botched a clearance outside the box. Midfielder Joao Pedro deftly volleyed a taut feed from Simone Padoin for Cagliari’s lead in the 37th minute, but the guests from Genoa levelled on 86 minutes from a low drive by substitute Bruno Fernandes.

Cagliari coach Massimo Rastelli was dismissed over his protests after the temporary equalizer, but his side still managed a winner to move on seven points alongside Udinese.

Sampdoria stayed on six points with Pescara and Atalanta, who earlier had a man dismissed after their third goal in a 3-1 win over promoted Crotone.

Andrea Petagna struck from a tight angle on three minutes, and Jasmin Kurtic chested in a ball deflected by goalkeeper Alex Cordaz on 40, before Alejandro Gomez drilled a smashing drive into the top-right corner with the break looming.

The Bergamo side then had Franck Kessie dismissed in the 62nd minute for a rude foul on Noe Dussenne. Kessie, a 19-year-old Ivory Coast international, scored in four games from five appearances as midfielder with his new team.

Nigerian substitute Simeon Nwankwo volleyed in a consolation goal four minutes from time. The game was played at Pescara’s Stadio Adriatico as Crotone await completion of the Ezio Scida stadium, which should be available in late October. – dpa