assuolo snatch 1-0 win over nine-man Atalanta

(Reuters) - A second-half strike by forward Armand Lauriente gave Sassuolo a surprise 1-0 win over nine-man Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday, ending the visitors' unbeaten run in the Italian top-flight this calendar year.

Atalanta were left with 10 men just before the half hour mark when defender Joakim Maehle was sent off for a foul on Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi, following a VAR review.

Sassuolo took the lead in the 55th minute through Lauriente who unleashed a brilliant long shot from the edge of the box, sending it inside the far post.

Atalanta were reduced to nine men in stoppage time when substitute Luis Muriel saw a direct red card for what appeared to be an argument with the referee.

Sassuolo moved up to 15th in the standings, increasing their cushion above the relegation zone to 10 points.

Atalanta dropped to sixth and are level on 38 points with fourth-placed Lazio and AC Milan in fifth, both with a game in hand.

(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Christian Radnedge)