Sampdoria force Napoli to falter

SSC Napoli missed the chance to cut the gap at the top of Serie A to two points after being held to a goalless stalemate by UC Sampdoria at the Stadio San Paolo, while ACF Fiorentina were on top form to see off FC Internazionale Milano.

Having drawn with S.S. Lazio last weekend and lost to FC Viktoria Plzeň in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, the hosts were looking to get back to winning ways. They found the going tough, however, and had Valon Behrami to thank for a goal-line clearance from Andrea Costa's first-half header.

The Swiss midfielder then blocked again after the break, turning away a goalbound Mauro Icardi effort, while at the other end Marek Hamšík had an effort tipped onto the post by Sergio Romero. The result leaves second-placed Napoli four points behind Juventus, whom they meet on 1 March.

As for Fiorentina, they put in an outstanding performance to dismantle Inter 4-1 and move within a point of their fifth-placed opponents. Adem Ljajić headed the Viola into a 13th-mintue lead, before Stevan Jovetić curled a sublime second into the top corner ahead of the break.

The duo both notched again after the interval to ensure a resounding win which leaves the Nerazzurri winless on the road in Serie A since their 3 November success against Juve.

Elsewhere, Cagliari Calcio's fine form continued with a 2-0 success at Pescara Calcio, Marco Sau's second-half double making it six games without defeat for the visitors, who climbed up to 14th. Genoa CFC edged Udinese Calcio 1-0, Calcio Catania saw off Bologna FC by a single strike and Torino FC defeated Atalanta BC 2-1.