Napoli's Serie A title hopes take a hit with defeat to Udinese
Napoli's title hopes are all but over after losing 3-1 at Udinese to leave it six points behind Serie A leader Juventus with only seven rounds remaining.
To add to Napoli's misery Sunday, top goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain was sent off following two bookings. The Argentina international was visibly agitated and had to be dragged off the pitch by fellow players.
Second spot is also in jeopardy as third-place Roma moved to within four points of Napoli after winning the derby match against Lazio 4-1.
Bruno Fernandes gave Udinese the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute and although Higuain leveled with his 30th goal in 31 matches, Fernandes scored again on the stroke of halftime, then Cyril Thereau sealed the result.
It could have been worse for Napoli as goalkeeper Gabriel saved another Fernandes penalty in the 26th minute. Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri was sent to the stands for his resulting protests.
"I only told the referee that he was doing very badly, but that's just an opinion, if you can't even say this...," Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri said. "Higuain told me that he didn't do anything and he got a second yellow card, he was very upset because he is very attached to these colors.
"I want to finish this season at the same very high level that we have had. We must be able to put today's disappointment behind us and to use the anger at this defeat to start again with a group of highly motivated players."
Fiorentina's chances of third spot and the final Champions League spot also diminished as it was held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Sampdoria. It is seven points behind Roma and just one above Inter Milan, which hosts Torino later.
Milan, whose players were wearing black armbands following the death of former player and coach Cesare Maldini, got off to the perfect start at Atalanta but went on to lose 2-1, with home player Mauricio Pinilla scoring a stunning overhead kick
Elsewhere, relegation-threatened sides Frosinone and Palermo are further in trouble after losing 4-0 and 3-1 at Genoa and Chievo Verona, respectively.
It was a curious atmosphere in the derby as fans from Roma and Lazio again boycotted the match in protest at the security measures that split the Stadio Olimpico "curve" -- the ends of the stadium where the hardcore supporters sit.
Lazio had a number of regular players out through injury, especially at the back and that had a part to play in Roma's first goal as Stephan El Shaarawy was left unmarked to head Lucas Digne's cross into the bottom right corner.
Miralem Pjanic should have extended Roma's lead but his shot from distance hit the right post.
Roma did double its lead shortly after the hour when Diego Perotti's long-range strike crashed off the left upright and substitute Edin Dzeko rushed in to fire the rebound into the bottom right corner with his first touch, four minutes after coming off the bench.
Lazio came close to getting one back when Wesley Hoedt headed onto the post and Marco Parolo's header was fingertipped on to the bar by Wojciech Szczesny.
It did get back into the match in the 75th when Miroslav Klose headed over the onrushing Szczesny and Parolo tapped into the empty net.
But goals from homegrown Roma fan Alessandro Florenzi and Perotti secured the points.
Hoedt was sent off in stoppage time following a second yellow card.
