Italian Serie A: Relief for Zola and Cagliari

Cagliari finally won at home this season and gave Gianfranco Zola his first win as their coach with a 2-1 triumph over bottom side Cesena on Sunday.

Joao Pedro and Godfred Donsah struck in the first half for the Sardinian outfit.

Cesena's Franco Brienza reduced the arrears one minute from the end but the home side held on for their third victory of the season.

The outcome at the Sant' Elia stadium has allowed 18th-place Cagliari to close the gap to just two points on Atalanta, who hold the last position of safety.

Cesena, winless since the opening day of the campaign, remain rooted at the foot of the standings.

Cagliari went into the contest looking to make amends for last week's 5-0 defeat at Palermo in Zola's first game in charge.

The hosts had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 11th minute when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after Luigi Giorgi brought down Cagliari's Albin Ekdal in the area.

Joao Pedro saw his spot-kick kept out by Cesena goalkeeper Nicola Leali, but the Brazilian winger tapped in the rebound.

Cesena almost pulled level in the 14th minute but Emmanuel Cascione's bullet strike from 25 yards was saved by Cagliari goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 27th minute.

Joao Pedro set up Donsah in the heart of the area and his right-footed shot towards the far post beat Leali.

The visitors pressed forward more aggressively before half-time and wasted a good chance to reduce the deficit when Alejandro Rodriguez headed Luca Valzania's cross just wide of the far post.

Cesena picked up where they left off after the restart but efforts from Brienza and Rodriguez were not on target.

The home side almost made it 3-0 in the 70th minute but Ekdal's powerful header from Danilo Avelar's cross was saved by Leali.

The visitors finally found the back of the net when Brienza tapped in Carlos Carbonero's cross past a helpless Brkic, but time ran out for Cesena.