Lazio beats Sassuolo 3-0 to keep up the pressure on Napoli

Goals from Felipe Anderson, Miroslav Klose and Marco Parolo helped Lazio record its third successive win and move two points behind Napoli, which can go level with second-placed Roma with a victory at Torino later.

Sampdoria remained four points behind Lazio after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Atalanta. Fiorentina, which is level with Samp, visits Inter Milan later.

In the lunchtime kickoff Cagliari lost a relegation battle 2-1 at home to Hellas Verona.

Elsewhere, Palermo drew 0-0 at Empoli, while Cesena beat Udinese 1-0.

Parma's match at Genoa was postponed, with the players protesting the situation at the financially-stricken club and the lack of help from the Italian footballing authorities.

It was the second match in a row Parma has postponed and all matches this weekend started 15 minutes late in a show of solidarity with the crisis-hit club.

Sassuolo was struggling of late, losing its past two matches and Lazio broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime. Francesco Acerbi headed out Seydou Keita's cross but only as far as Felipe Anderson, who curled a delightful shot into the top right corner from just outside the area.

The Brazilian was also involved in both Lazio's other goals, with a cross into the box for a Klose header in the 70th minute — shortly after the Germany forward had come off the bench — and a shot which took a series of ricochets before Parolo fired it home.

Sampdoria was looking to reignite its fight for third spot after a run of six matches without a win in all competition.

However, it was Atalanta which took the lead in the 16th minute when Guglielmo Stendardo tapped in Boukary Drame's cross.

Luis Muriel leveled with a magnificent goal, chesting down Stefano Okaka's cross, letting it bounce and then smashing it under the bar on the half volley.

Samuel Eto'o almost scored his first goal since arriving at Samp from Everton in January with a powerful strike which Marco Sportiello fumbled and let it fall behind him, but Okaka pounced to make sure it crossed the line.

Atalanta remained three points above Cagliari and the drop zone.

Luca Toni got Verona off to a great start in Sardinia with a great finish in the ninth minute and substitute Juanito Gomez Taleb nodded in a free kick to extend the visitors' lead in the 56th, just five seconds after coming off the bench.

Daniele Conti netted a consolation in the final minute as his free kick was allowed through.

Cesena moved a point behind Cagliari. Alejandro Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game in the 76th minute, heading home Franco Brienza's cross.

There were plenty of chances in Palermo but no goals. Franco Vazquez went closest with an effort which smacked the crossbar. Incredibly it was the eighth time this season that the Palermo forward has hit the woodwork.