Football: Novara beat Lazio in Serie A

ROME: Lazio missed a glorious chance to strengthen their grip on third place in Serie A after losing 2-1 at relegation-threatened Novara yesterday. A beautifully struck free-kick from substitute Giuseppe Mascara 11 minutes from time gave Novara a win that is likely to only delay their return to the second tier. The home side had taken a first-half lead courtesy an own-goal from Modibo Diakite, but Lazio pulled level when Antonio Candreva turned in the rebound after Stefano Mauri’s shot had been saved. Novara remain eight points from safety before 17th-placed Genoa kick off later on against AC Milan. Meanwhile, Lazio’s defeat also gives Napoli and Roma new hope of snatching third place.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2012.