Higuaín hat-trick fires Napoli past Lazio

There were goals galore in Serie A including a 4-2 home victory for SSC Napoli against SS Lazio as the Partenopei kept themselves nine points clear in the race for Italy's last UEFA Champions League spot.

Lazio's task became mountainous when Lorik Cana was dismissed after Dries Mertens had wiped out Senad Lulić's opener. Gonzalo Higuaín then struck twice – once from the sport – before Ogenyi Onazi reduced the deficit with eight minutes remaining. The result was put beyond doubt, though, when Higuaín completed his hat-trick on the stroke of full time.

As for fourth-placed ACF Fiorentina, they overwhelmed ten-man Hellas Verona FC 5-3 thanks in part to a pair of goals from Alberto Aquilani. FC Internazionale Milano were also in unforgiving mood, cruising to a 4-0 success at UC Sampdoria, who missed a penalty at 1-0 down and also had Éder sent off. The goals flowed at AC Livorno Calcio too, with the hosts succumbing 4-2 to AC Chievo Verona, Alberto Paloschi weighing in with a treble.

Elsewhere, Torino FC consigned Genoa CFC to a 2-1 defeat with a pair of added-time strikes, while Parma FC came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Bologna FC. In the late kick-off, AC Milan got the better of bottom side Calcio Catania in a 1-0 triumph, Riccardo Montolivo securing a fourth consecutive win for the Rossoneri.