Lazio have climbed up to second in Serie A with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sampdoria away from home.
The Aquile could have fallen behind in the early minutes of the match had Federico Marchetti not been able to keep out Mauro Icardi's snapshot and then tipped Citadin Eder's attempt over the crossbar.
The visitors eventually forced Sampdoria to pay for not taking their chances just after the half-hour mark when Senad Lulic ran down the left and pulled back the ball for Hernanes, who shot home via a deflection off Daniele Gastaldello.
Gastaldello himself could have restored parity for Sampdoria just before the half-time interval, but his glancing header went just inches wide.
Abdoulay Konko tried to double Lazio's advantage in the early minutes of the second half with a long-range effort but failed to keep it on target, before Andre Dias headed high.
Chances were few and far between for the rest of the second period in Genoa, as Lazio eventually ran out 1-0 winners.
Subhankar Mondal
