Lazio and Napoli closed the gap on leaders Milan to just three points with victories yesterday but Juventus failed to keep pace as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Chievo.
Lazio edged out Udinese 3-2 in a thrilling match decided by Christian Zapata’s own goal two minutes from time.
Napoli looked to be heading for a frustrating stalemate until Edinson Cavani struck deep into injury time to thrash a stunning winner from 25 yards into the top corner.
Juventus, on the other hand, were the victims of a late equaliser as Sergio Pellissier popped up at the back post to stroke home in time added on.
Those results left Napoli second ahead of Lazio on goal difference with Juve two points further back.
Milan had lost 1-0 at home to Roma on Saturday night to give their chasers a boost.
Meanwhile, the derby between Genoa and Sampdoria was called off after heavy snowfall on the city made play impossible.
The game of the day came in Rome where Lazio had taken the lead twice through Hernanes and Giuseppe Biava but were pegged back on each occasion by Alexis Sanchez and then German Denis.
But Zapata inadvertently headed a corner past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Libor Kozak to give the home fans a pre-Christmas treat.
Lazio captain Stefano Mauri insisted his team deserved their lofty league standing.
“It was a strange game. We struggled a lot but Udinese showed they’re a great team,” he said.
“Even so, we’re going well although we need to improve a lot because today we conceded some terrible goals.
“We deserve to be where we are, if we’re second (third on goal difference) it’s not by luck.”
The other two games ended in major drama.
Napoli had toiled throughout the game without enjoying much success but once again they scored in the “Mazzarri zone”, so dubbed because Walter Mazzarri’s team seem to always score in the last 15 minutes of matches.
Cavani struck just moments after Gianluca Gava saved Napoli by clearing Daniele Corvia’s shot off the line.
“We deserved to win because we kept going, we missed many chances but thanks God at the end we unlocked the door and now we'll go home calm and happy with a great Christmas present,' said Cavani.
There was late drama in Verona too.
Juventus were handed a let-off after Giorgio Chiellini felled Davide Moscardelli in the area, with goalkeeper Marco Storari saving Michele Marcolini’s spot-kick on 16 minutes.
Chievo were made to pay when Fabio Quagliarella scored an acrobatic overhead kick on 31 minutes.
Juve hit the woodwork twice through Frederik Sorensen and Milos Krasic but had Manuel Giandonato sent off for bringing down Frenchman Kevin Constant as he bore down on goal.
Juve had to hang on for 40 minutes but couldn’t quite manage it as Pellissier popped up late on to snatch the draw.
Serie A
Bari 1
Masiello 52 pen;
Palermo 1
Ilicic 45;
HT: 0-1. Att: 15,000.
Red card: Rossi (B) 32.
Catania 1
Maxi Lopez 33;
Brescia 0
HT: 1-0. Att: 11,000.
Chievo 1
Pellissier 90;
Juventus 1
Quagliarella 31;
HT: 0-1. Att: 22,819.
Missed penalty: Marcolini (C) 16.
Red card: Giandonato (J) 52.
Lazio 3
Hernanes 2; Biava 51; Zapata 88 og;
Udinese 2
Sanchez 49; Denis 61;
HT: 1-0. Att: 20,000.
Napoli 1
Cavani 90;
Lecce 0
HT: 0-0. Att: 30,000.
Parma 0
Bologna 0
Att: 13,265.
Sampdoria p
Genoa p
Top scorers
10 goals: Di Natale (Udinese); Cavani (Napoli)
9 goals: Eto’o (Inter); Ibrahimovic (Milan), Quagliarella (Juventus) Di Vaio (Bologna)
8 goals: Matri (Cagliari).
Next fixtures
Thursday, Jan. 6: 12.30 Juventus vs Parma. 15.00 Bologna vs Fiorentina; Brescia vs Cesena; Cagliari vs Milan; Genoa vs Lazio; Lecce vs Bari; Palermo vs Sampdoria; Roma vs Catania; Udinese vs Chievo. 20.45 Inter vs Napoli.