Stefano Okaka nodded home after 14 minutes in the first half, with Ken Sema and Rodrigo De Paul on Sunday completing a third straight success that pushed the Udine hosts on 24 points from 19 games.

Sassuolo have 19 points and sit five clear from the relegation zone along with Sampdoria, who crushed second-last Brescia 5-1 in a comeback win marked by a brace from veteran Fabio Quagliarella.

Fiorentina are on 21 after edging visiting bottom side SPAL 1-0, while Torino struggled to edge Bologna 1-0 at home to go seventh on 27 points, four more than their guests.

Champions Juventus play Roma on Sunday after Verona take on Genoa. Parma and Lecce play on Monday.

Leaders Inter Milan were held 1-1 at home to Atalanta on Saturday and sit one point clear of Juve on 46 points. Third-placed Lazio beat Napoli 1-0 and AC Milan won 2-0 at Cagliari.

Australian Associated Press