An own goal from Michele Canini in the seventh minute - deflecting Houssine Kharja's shot into his own net under pressure from Andrea Ranocchia - was enough to earn the Nerazzurri all three points, but they struggled against a motivated Cagliari side.

Tonight's other Serie A game also finished in a 1-0 home win, Bologna leaving it late to deservedly beat Palermo at the Stadio Dell'Ara and heap further pressure on Rosaneri coach Delio Rossi.

A red card for Santiago Garcia in the 57th minute complicated matters for the Sicilians, but they had been second-best even with 11 men against 11 and Daniele Paponi's last-minute goal was the least the home side deserved.