Cagliari 3-1 Bari

Cagliari boosted their hopes of sneaking into Europe as they got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Bari.

Salvatore Masiello got Bari back into the game shortly after the break following first-half goals from Daniele Conti and a deflected Nene free-kick.

But the hosts immediately restored their two-goal cushion when the unfortunate Alessandro Gazzi headed into his own net.

The result sees Cagliari move to eighth in the Serie A standings while Bari remain 10th.

Cagliari headed into the game desperate to get back to winning ways after claiming just two points from their last three games.

They were also keen to maintain their impressive home record which has seen them go undefeated at the Sant' Elia since October 4.

However, they were almost on the back foot as early as the 12th minute as Michael Agazzi had to pull off a stunning save to keep out Edgar Alvarez's header which was heading for the top right corner.

Bari were to rue that missed opportunity as Cagliari took the lead seconds later. Alessandro Matri dribbled his way past the visiting defence before unleashing a low pass through for Conti to tap in from close range.

The visitors could have levelled in the 22nd minute following a mazy solo run from Riccardo Meggiorini but his flick goalwards was missed by Davide Astori and Agazzi was able to collect comfortably.

Cagliari doubled their lead on the half-hour mark as Nene's free-kick from just outside the area was helped through by a massive deflection from Vladimir Koman in the Bari wall.

Bari had barely had a sight on goal in the first half but were starting to come back into the game and should have reduced the deficit five minutes from the break as Meggiorini powered his way into the area but Agazzi pulled off a good save to deny the former Inter Milan trainee.

The visitors came out after the interval full of intent and were handed a lifeline seven minutes after the restart when Masiello's shot was blocked by Michele Canini, but the midfielder was on hand to fire home at the second time of asking.

However, Cagliari immediately dampened any thoughts of that sparking a Bari revival.

Andrea Cossu put a tantalising cross into the area which the unfortunate Gazzi headed past his own keeper.

Bari came close to getting another goal in the 70th minute as Massimo Donati burst into the area, rounded two Cagliari defenders and unleashed a shot which just scraped past the post.

They had an even better opportunity five minutes later as Nicola Belmonte put in a brilliant cross which Jose Ignacio Castillo threw himself at but the Argentinian's effort flew just wide of the upright.