Lazio 1-0 Genoa

Aleksandar Kolarov stopped the rot for Lazio as his first-half goal sunk Genoa in an entertaining match.

The Serbian left-back struck in the 39th minute to hand Lazio their first win in Serie A since August 30.

Genoa suffered a blow in the 65th minute after Salvatore Bocchetti was handed his marching orders following two bookable offences.

The visitors were unlucky not to claim at least a point against a determined Lazio after twice being denied by the woodwork.

Lazio came into the game having taken just three points in their previous seven league games and eager to bounce back from last weekend's 1-0 defeat to city rivals Roma.

Genoa were looking for their first win on the road since October 4.

Lazio coach Davide Ballardini was forced to make some changes to the starting XI that lost to Roma with Stefano Mauri and Roberto Baronio suspended and Francesco Matuzalem out injured.

The hosts had the first chance of the game with Mauro Zarate's header from Mourad Meghni's cross going wide.

At the other end, Omar Milanetto served Marco Rossi inside the area, whose right-footed strike was saved by Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

The visitors stepped up the pace and their efforts could have paid off in the 26th minute had Giuseppe Sculli's header from Ivan Juric's cross not struck the crossbar, with Muslera already beaten.

With Lazio unable to break Genoa's well-placed defence, Kolarov tried his luck from distance but his 30-yard strike went over the bar.

Lazio finally broke the deadlock six minutes before the break.

Kolarov got past Emiliano Moretti before firing a diagonal strike from the edge of the area past Genoa goalkeeper Alessio Scarpi.

The goal, Lazio's first in four games, inspired the hosts who almost made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.

However, Zarate's stinging drive from distance went inches wide of the far post.

Lazio picked up where they left off after the restart and were denied their second of the afternoon in the 50th minute.

Scarpi made a fine save to deflect Kolarov's curled free-kick towards the near post.

Bocchetti's sending off after a late tackle on Lazio captain Tommaso Rocchi did not affect the visitors, who were unlucky not to equalise shortly after the hour mark.

Rodrigo Palacio's cross found Juric, whose right-footed strike from the heart of the area beat Muslera but struck the post.

At the other end, Kolarov's left-footed strike from 30 yards out went high and wide.

Genoa continued to press forward in search of the equaliser and Giuseppe Biava wasted a good chance with six minutes remaining.

Biava's right-footed shot from the six-yard box from Sculli's assist went high over the bar, much to the relief of the home fans.

Lazio held on to claim their third victory of the season.