Stefano Mauri netted a brace as Lazio moved into third in Serie A following a 3-0 victory over Atalanta.

Mauri struck early in the second half and again after 71 minutes before Senad Lulic sealed a second straight win for Stefano Pioli's men, who had gone three games without winning before beating Parma last weekend.

The win lifts the Biancoceleste above Napoli and Sampdoria, who have tricky fixtures at Milan and Juventus respectively tomorrow, and leaves Atalanta just three points above the drop zone.

Earlier today, Palermo brought an end to Sassuolo's rise up the standings and furthered their own with a dramatic 2-1 win at the Stadio Renzo Barbera where the Neroverdi finished with nine men.

Luca Rigoni's goal in the third minute gave Palermo the lead, but even though Sassuolo lost their goalkeeper Andrea Consigli to a red card, they levelled late on through substitute Leonardo Pavoletti.

There was even more drama to come, though, as Andrea Belotti restored Palermo's advantage deep in stoppage time before Paolo Cannavaro was shown Sassuolo's second red card of the evening.

The result leaves Palermo ninth with 21 points, two spots and two points ahead of their opponents.