Catania vs Lazio, Final Score 4-0: Elefantini run rampant over sorry Eagles

Alejandro Gomez, Pablo Barrientos and a penalty from Francesco Lodi, condemned Lazio to a crushing defeat - their fourth of the season and second in a week. Catania are now right on the Biancocelesti's tails in sixth place.

Gonzalo Bergessio was back to partner Gomez in attack, having recovered from an ankle problem. Ederson and Federico Marchetti missed out for the visitors, along with the suspended Miroslav Klose, but Hernanes and Cristian Ledesma were welcomed back from their bans. Tommaso Rocchi retained his starting place up front and Mauro Zarate was back on the Eagles bench.

The home fans were restless at the start after staging a protest against recent refereeing decisions that have gone against their side.

They were given cause to celebrate after Gomez opened the scoring on nine minutes. The Argentinean ran down the left hand side, cut into the box and saw his shot deflect off the boot of Giuseppe Biava and into the top corner. Albano Bizzarri stuck out a glove, but was caught cold by the precision of the strike.

Lazio almost equalised when Senad Lulic's cross flashed across the Catania box out to Antonio Candreva. The Lazio man's cross-turned shot was almost flicked in by the heel of Stefano Mauri but trickled wide.

On 19 minutes, Gomez slipped in Barrientos, but Bizzarri got enough of a touch to guide the ball wide of the post.

Catania doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Mariano Izco pounced on a Luis Cavanda error and as he lifted the ball over Andre Dias, the ball struck the arm of the Brazilian. Lodi stepped up and coolly sent Bizzarri the wrong way.

The hosts suffered a setback when Bergessio had to be replaced after suffering a calf injury. The mood quickly picked up when Gomez scored a third. Giovanni Marchese's cross was met by Gomez at full stretch and Biava's clearance was too late, as the ball had already crossed the line. It was the correct call from the officials.

Lazio struggled to create chances and threw on Cristian Brocchi and Sergio Floccari during the break to try to give their attack some fresh impetus.

Floccari was put through early in the second half, but a poor first touch allowed Mariano Andujar to run out and smother the ball. Abdoulay Konko then fed Mauri who curled a shot just wide.

Catania had taken their foot off the gas but did saunter forward again on the hour, with Marchese's deflected drive going just over.

Catania added a fourth on 69 minutes. Konko mistimed a high ball and slipped, allowing Gomez to run clear and roll the ball across for Barrientos to tap in.

The hosts smelt blood and wanted more. Bizzarri had to run out and smother the ball to stop Barrientos sliding in and making it five. Lodi then shaved the bar as he blazed over in the box.

In the closing moments, Floccari turned his man and shot wide, while at the other end, substitute Lucas Castro got in front of Konko, only to make a hash of his shot and somehow turn it wide.

Catania: Andujar; Alvarez, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marchese; Izco, Lodi, Almiron; (Biagianti 64) Barrientos, Bergessio, (Doukara 26) Gomez (Castro 70)

Lazio: Bizzarri; Konko, Biava, Dias, Cavanda; (Brocchi 46) Ledesma; Candreva, Hernanes, (Floccari 46) Mauri, Lulic; Rocchi (Kozak 70)

Goals: Gomez 9, 29 (C) Lodi pen 25 (C) Barrientos 69 (C)