Napoli moved into second spot on the Serie A table after a thrilling 4-3 win over Lazio, highlighted by a hat-trick from Edison Cavani.The entertaining encounter exploded into life in the last 35 minutes, when six goals were scored.
Lazio took a 29th-minute lead through midfielder Stefano Mauri and Brazilian Andre Dias doubled their lead 12 minutes after half-time.
But five minutes after Dias’ strike, scores were level.
Andrea Dossena scored on the hour mark before Cavani got the first of his treble two minutes later, but parity only lasted six minutes.
Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica turned the ball into his own net to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.
But Cavani would prove to be the hero with two late goals, taking his tally for the season to 22.
First, he was fouled by Giuseppe Biava in the penalty area and after the defender was given his marching orders, Cavani stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
The Uruguayan scored the winner two minutes from time to help Napoli to within three points of top side AC Milan, while Lazio sit in fifth.
Udinese suffered a shock 2-0 loss at struggling Lecce, missing a glorious chance to move closer to automatic European Champions League qualification.
A brace from Andrea Bertolacci ensured Udinese suffered their first league loss of 2011.
The 20-year-old midfielder was on the scoresheet in the 48th and 65th minutes to help Lecce into the safety zone.
Juventus kept their hopes of a Europa League berth alive with a 2-0 win over Roma at the Olympic Stadium.
After a goalless first-half, Serbian striker Milos Krasic gave Juve the lead just before the hour mark, and Alessandro Matri completed the win 15 minutes from the end.
The win sees Juventus, who are seventh in the league, cut sixth-placed Roma’s advantage to just two points with seven games to play.
Catania handed Palermo a 4-0 thrashing in the Sicily derby, moving five points clear of the relegation zone.
A brilliant second-half performance saw the hosts record an impressive victory in one of their biggest games.
An own goal from Palermo defender Federico Balzaretti sent them on their way three minutes after half-time.
Three goals in the space of 16 minutes ensured a romp as Gonzalo Bergessio, Pablo Ledesma and Simone Pesce got on the scoresheet.
It was Palermo?s sixth defeat in their last seven outings, all but ending their hopes of a spot in Europe.
Bari recorded just their fourth win of the season with a surprise 2-1 victory at Parma.
A 92nd-minute winner from substitute Honduran midfielder Edgar Alvarez put Bari within 11 points of safety.
The visitors had taken a lead through Alessandro Parisi in the 64th minute but Parma striker Amauri equalised 10 minutes from time.
Alvarez provided the winner to give Bari their first win since being 1-0 victors at Lecce on January 7.
Cagliari ended a three-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Genoa.
A goal from Robert Acquafresca in the 16th minute was enough to send Cagliari into 10th spot and leave Genoa in mid-table.
Cesena scored a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina.
Luis Jimenez gave Cesena an unlikely early lead but Alberto Gilardino ensured his side would go into the break on level terms.
Riccardo Montolivo looked like he had scored the winner in the 69th minute before Cesena substitute Fabio Caserta scored the equaliser four minutes from time.
Chievo and Sampdoria played out a scoreless draw, helping neither team arrest a recent drop in results.
Chievo have won just one of their last eight outings while Sampdoria have won one of their last 12 league outings.
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This article was originally posted on the FFC News Desk
