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Cesena go joint top |
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Newly-promoted Cesena joined Inter Milan at the top of Serie A after Erjon Bogdani's solitary goal saw off Lecce this afternoon.
Bogdani struck in the 54th minute to hand the hosts their second win in three games.
The win was all the more impressive considering Cesena played with 10 men from the 37th minute onwards after midfielder Giuseppe Colucci received his second yellow card.
The visitors failed to make the most of their numerical superiority until they too had a man dismissed when midfielder Gianni Munari was sent off for dissent with 10 minutes remaining.
The result sees Cesena go level on seven points with Inter, who won 2-1 at Palermo today.
Cesena dominated possession and almost went in front with three minutes played.
Stefano Ferrario made a goal-line clearance from Bogdani4s right-footed strike from the edge of the area with Lecce goalkeeper Antonio Rosati beaten.
Midway through the first half, Munari4s free-kick was met by a fine save from Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.
Cesena showed more determination after Colucci4s sending off and could have gone into the break with a 1-0 lead but Marco Parolo4s right-footed strike from 20 yards went just wide of the far post.
Cesena continued to press forward after the re-start and almost broke the deadlock in the 51st minute.
Bogdani served an unmarked Emanuele Giaccherini and his left-footed effort from the heart of the area was saved by Rosati.
Cesena4s prayers were answered soon after though.
A quick counter-attack saw Steve Von Bergen pick out Bogdani inside the area and the striker fired past Rosati and into the back of the net.
Lecce had their best chance to restore parity in the 66th minute.
Daniele Corvia latched onto Giuseppe Vives' cross and his powerful header was met by a fine save from Antonioli.
Corvia had another chance to hand his team a point with one minute remaining but his close-range header went over the bar as Cesena held on for victory.
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