Lazio cut Serie A leaders Juventus' lead to five points tonight with a 2-1 home win over struggling Cagliari.

It took a late penalty from Alvaro Candreva to decide the outcome, with Cagliari having two men sent off after the spot-kick was awarded.

Goalkeeper Michael Agazzi was dismissed first, receiving his second yellow card of the game for the foul on Miroslav Klose that resulted in the penalty, and for protesting excessively midfielder Andrea Cossu was also ordered off.

Cagliari had gone ahead after 62 minutes when Marco Sau struck, but Abdoulay Konko levelled 10 minutes from the end and in the 86th minute Candreva secured all three points for second-placed Lazio.

Juventus still have a comfortable cushion, and tomorrow can restore their eight-point advantage when they tackle Sampdoria in Turin.

Earlier, Catania and Torino shared a tame goalless draw at the Stadio Massimino in the first Serie A game of 2013.

The Sicilians held on for a point, despite playing nearly the full game with only 10 men following an early red card for Francesco Lodi, who lashed out in retaliation towards Riccardo Meggiorini and receiving his marching orders from referee Mauro Bergonzi.

Catania squandered a penalty when Gonzalo Bergessio sent his kick against the crossbar.