Rome, Italy (SportsNetwork.com) - Stefano Mauri bagged a brace at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to put Lazio in third place with a 3-0 defeat of Atalanta.
Lazio was held in check for the opening period, but three goals in the span of 30 minutes saw the hosts collect all three points.
Mauri produced the opener in the 51st minute before doubling the advantage in the 72nd. Senad Lulic wrapped up the win by tacking on a third nine minutes from time.
Lazio climbs to 26 points on the season to sit slightly ahead of Genoa through goal difference.
Palermo earned a 2-1 victory over nine-man Sassuolo on Saturday with Andrea Belotti netting the winner at the death.
Luca Rigoni put Palermo in front after only three minutes, but Leonardo Pavoletti equalized in the 85th minute despite a 66th-minute red card to Andrea Consigli.
It looked as though the two sides would share the spoils, but Belotti emerged with the winner late in the match before Paolo Cannavaro picked up a red card to leave Sassuolo with no way back.
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