Chievo avoid the drop

Dario Dainelli's second-half winner secured Chievo's place in Serie A next season as they beat Cagliari 1-0.

Dario Dainelli's second-half winner secured Chievo's place in Serie A next season as they beat Cagliari 1-0 at the Sant'Elia stadium. Eugenio Corini's side went into the clash one point and one place above the drop zone, but the win - coupled with Bologna's 2-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Catania - ensured their survival. Dainelli struck in the 72nd minute to seal the victory and end what had been a tense afternoon up to that point, much to the relief of the Chievo fans. The hosts, who had already made sure of their own safety, were looking to send their home fans away with a win but Chievo got the result they deserved on the balance of play. Cyril Thereau went close to putting Chievo in front as early as the seventh minute, but his free-kick from the edge of the box went just over the bar. That served to wake Cagliari out of their slumber and they responded with two decent chances in as many minutes to give Corini food for thought. First Gabriele Perico tested Chievo keeper Michael Agazzi from Sebastian Eriksson's free-kick, before Nicola Murru headed another Eriksson delivery just over the bar. Chievo began to exert control again as the first half went on, but poor finishing left Cagliari keeper Vlada Avramov with very little to do before half time. The hosts flew out of the traps after the interval, with Dainelli deflecting Victor Ibarbo's long-range effort an inch-wide of the near post as the pressure mounted. After weathering the storm, Chievo got themselves back on the front foot again around the hour mark, but shots from Perparim Hetemaj and Thereau sailed over as Avramov was little more than a spectator again. His first meaningful act of the afternoon was picking the ball out of his own net in the 71st minute. Dainelli rose high to nod home Thereau's corner and secure the win that keeps Chievo in the top flight.