Goals from M'Baye Niang and Iago Falque have helped Genoa to a 2-0 victory over Cagliari in Serie A tonight.

Niang was the first to threaten in the 16th minute, heading narrowly wide of the right post.

Paul-Jose M'Poku hit the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area six minutes later after beating two Genoa defenders.

Falque was then denied by Cagliari goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic on the half-hour mark.

Genoa took the lead in the 52nd minute as Niang finished from close range after Facundo Roncaglia's pass.

Falque then doubled Genoa's lead six minutes later shooting into the bottom left corner.

The striker nearly added a third in the 68th minute but Brkic was equal to the effort this time.

Marco Sau had a great chance to pull a goal back in the 74th minute, but mistimed his effort from inside the six-yard box.

M'Poku's free-kick was denied by Genoa goalkeeper Eugenio Lamanna with six minutes remaining, and Samuele Longo was also denied by Lamanna in stoppage time.

Genoa remain tenth in the table after the result, while Cagliari are five points from safety in 19th with eight games remaining.