Sami Khedira grabbed a hat-trick as Serie A champions Juventus came from behind to thump Udinese 6-2 away on Sunday despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men.
Juve, who had taken one point from their previous two games, went behind to a Stipe Perica goal after eight minutes.
The champions quickly hit back as Udinese's Samir headed a corner into his own net in the 14th minute and Khedira headed the visitors ahead after 20 minutes.
Five minutes later, Juve forward Mario Mandzukic was booked for clashing with Ali Adnan, then insulted the referee and was immediately sent off.
Juve appeared to be on the rack when Danilo equalised for Udinese in the 48th minute but instead Daniele Rugani headed them back in front four minutes later.
That opened the floodgates, with Khedira scoring twice more before Miralem Pjanic completed the rout to leave third-placed Juventus three points behind leaders Napoli and one behind Inter Milan.
Leonardo Bonucci's dismissal created space for an open Serie A clash between Milan and Genoa that ended goalless at San Siro.
The Italy centre-back and Rossoneri captain saw red only 25 minutes into the contest after elbowing Aleandro Rosi as he strived to make contact with Hakan Calhanoglu's free-kick into the box.
Milan had to reshuffle and, while the new-look defence kept Genoa at bay, they could not make their chances count at the other end and finished the afternoon in a distant 11th place.
Lazio kept pace with third-placed Juve on 22 points from nine games after Ciro Immobile scored twice in a 3-0 win over Cagliari to take his tally to 13 league goals this season.
Earlier on Sunday, veteran substitute Sergio Pellissier scored the winner as Chievo beat 10-man Hellas Verona 3-2 in the Derby della Scala.
The 38-year-old striker tapped in a cross from Fabrizio Cacciatore just 11 minutes after climbing off the bench.
Daniele Verde had put Verona ahead but two goals from Roberto Inglese, the second from the penalty spot, gave Chievo the lead.
Verona lost Bruno Zuculini to a red card before half-time but the 10 men equalised through Giampaolo Pazzini's spot-kick before Pellissier snaffled the winner in the 73rd minute.
Aleksandar Kolarov fired Roma back to winning ways with a second-half free-kick at Torino.
The Giallorossi lost 1-0 at home to Napoli last weekend and were held to a 3-3 draw by Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, but Kolarov's 69th-minute bullet was good enough for three points that lift them back into the Serie A top five.
Sassuolo were grateful to Matteo Politano for his lightning-quick goal as nothing much else went their way in a 1-0 victory at Spal.
It took the winger only a minute to rob the ball from Francesco Vicari before beating Alfred Gomis, but Domenico Berardi could not get the better of the Spal goalkeeper with an 83rd-minute penalty.
Then, just minutes after making his league debut off the bench, young Sassuolo midfielder Francesco Cassata was sent off at the death.
Another substitute, Andreas Cornelius, enjoyed a better day as his 71st-minute strike boosted Atalanta to a 1-0 home win over Bologna.
The Dane was well-placed to finish with his left boot after receiving Remo Freuler's cross. It was a first win in four attempts for Europa League challengers Atalanta, while it ended Bologna's three-match winning run.
Life in the top flight continues to be arduous for promoted Benevento, who remain rock bottom and pointless following a 3-0 home defeat to Fiorentina.
Marco Benassi converted Giovanni Simeone's assist in the 18th minute and La Viola were two goals to the good when Khouma Babacar tucked home at the near post shortly after the break.
Benevento, who have scored only twice in their nine Serie A matches to date, were further punished when Cyril Thereau powered in a 66th-minute penalty after Alberto Brignoli impeded Babacar.