Lazio edged closer to second-placed Roma with a 2-0 win at Torino which has the Biancocelesti breathing down the necks of their city rivals who were beaten 2-0 by Sampdoria at the Olympic Stadium last night.

Roma fell to their first defeat in Serie A since November 1 to see their grasp on a place in the Champions League next season loosen.

Lorenzo De Silvestri and Luis Muriel grabbed the goals for Sampdoria, who weathered a first-half storm before striking efficiently in the second half to boost their own hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.

Roma’s sorry evening ended on an even worse note with Seydou Keita shown a red card late on as the Giallorossi also helped Juventus get one hand on a fourth straight Serie A title, thanks to their 14-point advantage with 11 games remaining.

Felipe Anderson scored two goals in seven minutes to earn Stefano Pioli’s Lazio a win which gives them a three-point cushion over Napoli in the hunt for the third Champions League berth on offer to Serie A.

Torino made a promising start but the heavy pitch caused by the relentless rain did not help their tired legs.

However, it did not cause any problems for Anderson who took matters into his own hands, skipping past three defenders before placing his shot low into the net in the 71st minute.

It was Anderson who added the second seven minutes later, tucking Miroslav Klose’s throughball past Daniele Padelli, who could only deflect the ball into the far corner of his own goal.

In yesterday’s other match, Fiorentina came from behind to pile the misery on Filippo Inzaghi and his Milan team with a 2-1 win at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Mattia Destro put the visitors in front against the run of play early in the second half, but Fiorentina fought back with goals from Gonzalo Rodriguez and Joaquin inside the final seven minutes earning them all three points.

As a result, Vincenzo Montella’s men now trail fourth-placed Napoli by just one point.

Fiorentina were increasing the pressure on Milan and a goal appeared to be in the air, but when it arrived in the 56th minute, it came at the other end.

Destro diverted Giacomo Bonaventura’s shot past keeper Neto to give Milan the lead against the run of play.

Fiorentina did not stop attacking, though, and their efforts were rewarded with seven minutes left on the clock when Rodriguez rose to head in Joaquin’s cross.

Fiorentina’s winning goal came after chaotic scenes where the referee went off injured and the teams kept playing before he had been replaced, apparently unaware there was nobody in charge of the match.

When play resumed Joaquin planted a bullet header into the far corner of Diego Lopez’s goal for Fiorentina’s winner.

Summaries

Fiorentina 2
Rodriguez 83; Joaquin 89;
Milan 1
Destro 56;

HT: 0-0. Att: 31,432.

Roma 0
Sampdoria 2
De Silvestri 60; Muriel 78;

HT: 0-0. Att: 33,250.
Red card: Keita (R) 82.

Torino 0
Lazio 2
Anderson 71, 78;

HT: 0-0. Att: 16,000.