Rome - Giants Juventus came out of a dull period Wednesday as they beat visiting Sampdoria 5-1 with a brace from Brazilian Amauri and goals from Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet. Juve leapfrogged Samp and are now second on 21 points from 10 games, while front-runners Inter Milan on 22 points look to widen their lead when they close the mid-week round Thursday hosting Palermo.
In their last five outings, the side from Turin had a single win against tail-enders Siena but appeared to be transformed against the Genoa guests.
Spurred by the home crowd, Juve annihilated Samp with a fast, aggressive game that they seemed to have forgotten after a four-win start to the season.
Amauri, who last weekend ended a long scoring drought, was on target again on 26 minutes to top his side's hammering start with an easy flick after a corner-kick scramble.
The Brazil striker then provided a great cross for defender Giorgio Chiellini's winning header, and in the second half deftly nodded home for 4-0 after Camoranesi's cool volley amid a dithering defence.
Giampaolo Pazzini pulled one back for Samp with another great header, but substitute David Trezeguet nodded home in the dying minutes to confirm Juve's supremacy.
Genoa moved to fifth place alongside AC Milan through a 2-1 win over Fiorentina, who managed to level after hitting two posts but were defeated by a goal from Giandomenico Mesto.
A pulsating game delighted the home crowd in Naples, where Napoli rallied to salvage a last-gasp, 2-2 draw against guests AC Milan.
The Devils appeared set for an easy affair when veteran Filippo Inzaghi and young Brazilian Pato were on target in the first six minutes.
Napoli's dogged efforts were rewarded late in the game, after Milan had Ignazio Abate dismissed, with goals from Luca Cigarini and Argentine substitute German Denis.
A brace from Antonio Floro Flores sealed Udinese's 2-1 win over Roma in a game that both sides ended with 10 men, while promoted Parma are, incredibly, fourth after a 2-0 win over Bari, also a promoted side.
Cagliari stunned hosts Lazio 1-0, Livorno won 1-0 against Atalanta, Bologna beat bottom-side Siena 2-1, and Chievo won 2-1 at Catania.
