Napoli kept their slim Serie A title hopes alive on Saturday with a 3-0 win at bottom side Pescara while Udinese jumped into fifth place thanks to a 1-0 victory at Cagliari.
Second-half goals from Gohkan Inler, Goran Pandev and Blerim Dzemaili put Napoli on 69 points, eight behind leaders Juventus, who were scheduled to visit local rivals Torino on Sunday.
The victory also sees Napoli move 10 points clear of third-placed AC Milan, who were to host Europa League-chasing Catania in Sunday’s late game, and 11 in front of Fiorentina.
Roberto Pereyra’s curling strike after 56 minutes was enough to put Francesco Guidolin's Udinese on 54 points, one ahead of Inter Milan who visit relegation-threatened Palermo on Sunday.
Bologna had Alberto Gilardino’s goal to thank for a 1-1 draw at Atalanta in Saturday’s early kick off after he cancelled out Luigi Giorgi's 67th minute opener with 14 minutes left.
Cagliari, who had striker Mauricio Pinilla sent off in added time, stay 10th on 42 points, two points and one place above Bologna. Atalanta leapfrogged Sampdoria into 14th spot on 39 points, 10 clear of the relegation zone, while Pescara stay bottom on 23 points.
Napoli dominated the opening exchanges but without striker Edinson Cavani they were initially less than clinical in front of goal, with Miguel Britos and Lorenzo Insigne wasting good chacnes to head their side in front during the first half-hour.
Insigne thought he had given the visitors the lead with a powerful finish after Dzemaili’s tackle saw the ball drop to him just inside the area but his effort was ruled out as the Napoli players celebrated.
Liverpool shine
Liverpool recorded the biggest victory of the Saturday’s English Premier League action as Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson scored twice in a 6-0 rout at struggling Newcastle United.
Doubles from Sturridge and Henderson, a header by Daniel Agger and a Fabio Borini strike moments after he came on as a substitute led Liverpool to the thumping victory.
