Italian champions Juventus have won 6-2 at Udinese thanks to a Sami Khedira hat-trick to close within three points of Serie A leaders Napoli.
Napoli, who are on 25 points from nine outings, drew 0-0 at home against Inter Milan on Saturday to remain two points clear of the second-placed Milanese side.
Fourth-place Lazio trail on 19 ahead of a late game against Cagliari.
In pulsating action at Udine Mario Mandzukic was sent off for insulting the referee, who had just booked him.
An own goal from Brazilian Samir in the 14th had levelled the hosts' opener from Stipe Perica, and Khedira headed home for Juve's 2-1 lead on 21 minutes.
Udinese came close again when Gianluigi Buffon saved two Jakub Jankto drives before the interval and levelled from a Danilo header in the 48th.
Two minutes later home coach Luigi Delneri was sent off for protesting and Juve defender Daniele Rugani nodded in a free-kick before Khedira slammed home a loose ball and drilled a late shot into the far post.
Miralem Pjanic netted the Bianconeri's sixth with a deflected drive on 90 minutes.
Roma snatched a 1-0 win at Torino from an Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick and went fifth past Sampdoria.
The Serb set-piece specialist fired into the top left corner to stun Salvatore Sirigu in the 69th minute after his team-mates Edin Dzeko and Kevin Strootman came close in the first half.
The Giallorossi have 18 points from eight games, with one in hand over Sampdoria, who hammered Crotone 5-0 Saturday and are sixth on 17.
Elsewhere, AC Milan drew 0-0 at home to Genoa, having international defender Leonardo Bonucci red-carded for elbowing Aleandro Rosi in the face during a scramble in the box.
Atalanta edged 1-0 Bologna, who had Giancarlo Gonzalez dismissed in the 80th. Sassuolo also won 1-0 at promoted Spal. Francesco Cassata came on late for Sassuolo and was red-carded with two minutes left.
Chievo striker Roberto Inglese scored a brace and Sergio Pellissier got the winner to edge 10-man Verona 3-2, helping their side go seventh.
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