ROME — Lazio's hopes of going fourth in Serie A were dashed Monday as Diego Perotti's penalty was enough to secure Genoa a 1-0 victory in Rome. Genoa's first win in eight games — though it was its eighth successive victory over its opponent — saw it move into seventh place, just two points off Lazio in sixth. Lazio had made a bright start testing visiting goalkeeper Mattia Perin on a couple of occasions first deflecting a shot by Lucas Biglia onto a post and then got down well to deny midfielder Antonio Candreva. However, the pivotal moment came in the 30th minute when Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was sent off for bringing down M'Baye Niang in the area — replacement goalkeeper Etrit Berisha was unable to prevent Perotti converting the resulting penalty. With their backs against the wall there was little chance for the Lazio players to impress watching Italy coach Antonio Conte. The host's former Italy international 35-year-old Stefano Mauri went closest to leveling the game but his 66th minute effort hit a post. Elche blanks Rayo Vallecano Goals by Damian Suarez and Garry Mendes lifted Elche from the relegation zone with a 2-0 win against a 10-man Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish League Monday. Defender Suarez scored his first goal of the season when a long clearance landed at his feet and he blasted a powerful shot into the far corner, out of goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez's reach, in the 21st minute. Rayo was reduced to 10 men when Jose Baena was sent off in the 78th for two yellow cards within minutes of each other. Mendes broke through Rayo's defense thanks to a skillful one-two with Faycal Fajr and scored with a low shot under Rodriguez in the 84th. Elche rose to 17th place on 20 points while Rayo stayed in 15th on 23 points after 22 rounds. Real Madrid leads the standing on 54 with Barcelona one point behind in second while Atletico Madrid is third on 50. — Agencies
