Cagliari had no problem easing past Atalanta in a fixture that could turn out to be a very significant result as the season progresses.

The hosts hammered in three goals to comfortably take the three points, but it was Nene who was the apple of the manager’s eye on the occasion, as he bagged a brace in a span of three minutes. Alessandro Matri added a third on the stroke of half-time, when Federico Peluso amusingly clattered into Andrea Lazzari before the referee pointed to the spot.

The second half was only academic, and the three goals in the first period had proven to be a lead that the visitors would have little chance of equalling, let alone winning.

Cagliari 3 – 0 Atalanta
Nene’ 33, 36 (C), Matri pen 45 (C)

Cagliari: Marchetti; Canini, Lopez, Astori, Agostini, Biondini (Parola 87), Conti, Lazzari (Barone 76), Cossu, Matri, Nenè (Larrivey 63)

Atalanta: Consigli; Padoin, Talamonti, Peluso, Bellini, Madonna (Layun Prado 66), Radovanovic (Caserta 51), Guarente, Valdes, Doni (Ceravolo 63), Tiribocchi

Ref: Velotto