Cagliari 1 - 0 Palermo

Cagliari 1-0 Palermo

Updated: November 18, 2006, 10:46 PM UK

CAGLIARI, November 18 (Serie A) - A strike at the death by substitute Simone Pepe saw 10-man Palermo fall 1-0 to Cagliari at the Stadio San Elia.

In a battle of island teams - Cagliari of Sardinia and Palermo of Sicily - Fabio Simplicio's dismissal shortly before half-time hurt the joint-Serie A leaders.

The defeat ends their five-match winning streak in the league.

In that run, the Rossaneri saw off AC Milan, Messina, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Torino.

Francesco Guidolin's team were without their inspirational captain Eugenio Corini, who was banned, and his absence was felt in midfield.

In the second minute, Cagliari went close when Mauro Esposito played in Davide Biondini, but his effort flew wide.

Soon after, they had another chance.

This time, a good run and cross by Alessandro Agostini found Davide Suazo, but his header was off target.

The visitors created their first opportunity when Australian Mark Bresciano tried his luck from just inside the penalty area, only to be denied by a diving Antonio Chimenti in the home goal.

Just on the half hour, the Rossoblu had another good chance after good work by Michele Ferri.

This time, Suazo's header was comfortably held by Alberto Fontana.

The best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute when an excellent run and cross by Antonio Langella found Suazo, however, goalkeeper Fontana saved the six-yard shot with his legs.

Six minutes later was the turning point.

A quick break from a Palermo corner put Suazo clean through on goal, but as he put his foot on the pedal, he was brought down by Simplicio.

The referee had no option but to show the Brazilian a red card as the teams went in level at half-time.

In the 47th minute, Suazo was again involved as he headed the ball into the path of Esposito on the edge of the penalty area, but his goalbound effort forced Fontana into an excellent acrobatic save.

A lean spell followed with the home team trying to create opportunities but not really threatening the Sicilians' goal.

Substitute Francesco Parravicini's left-foot strike in the 73rd minute from the edge of the penalty area was the closest the visitors got in the second half, but he was denied by a diving Chimenti.

In the 86th minute, a Daniele Conti corner was met by the head of Paolo Bianco, but his effort went just over.

Just as the game looked to be heading towards a stalemate, substitute Pepe, who is on loan from Palermo, grabbed all the plaudits.

A good cross from the right by Ferri saw the tireless Suazo try an acrobatic attempt, which deflected off a defender into the path off Pepe, who blasted the ball blast Fontana from close range to steal all three points for Marco Giampaolo's team.