Fiorentina were comfortable 2-0 winners over Chievo at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in their Sunday afternoon Serie A fixture.
Nikola Kalinic opened the scoring in the first half before Josip Ilicic doubled the lead shortly after to retain second place from Juventus.
La Viola had a host of chances early on. A dangerous cross caused the Chievo defenders all sorts of problems, with Kalinic unable to capitalise. Josip Ilicic had a chance in the area, but Albano Bizzarri was able to beat it away for a corner.
Fiorentina eventually took the lead. A great through-ball from Federico Bernardeschi for Kalinic beat the offside trap, with the Croatian finishing underneath Bizzarri. Ilciic then hit the post, bringing the ball down and beating Bizzarri but not the woodwork.
Bernardeschi then found Kalinic in the box after a quick counterattack, but Bizzarri blocked the shot from the Fiorentina striker this time.
The hosts doubled their lead shortly after, Ilicic with a wonderful run culminating in a delicate curling effort into the far corner.
In the second half the visitors had more of a sight of goal. A stinging strike from Perparim Hetemaj had Ciprian Tatarusanu scrambling, but Gonzalo Rodriguez was there to cover his goalkeeper. Lucas Castro had a similar opportunity but it didn’t trouble Tatarusanu.
Hetemaj had another chance with a volley, but Rodriguez blocked it behind for a corner. Bizzarri then pulled off an incredible save to deny Borja Valero, tipping the Spaniard’s long range effort over the crossbar. Matias Vecino had one final chance, but his long range effort was dealt with by Bizzarri.
Fiorentina move back into second place in Serie A, staying ahead of Juventus and keeping pace with Inter.
Chievo meanwhile remain on 22 points in a safe position in the middle of the table.
