Ciro Immobile scored a hat trick on Saturday to help Lazio crush Sampdoria 5-1 as Simone Inzaghi’s side continued to look like a genuine title contender.
It was a record-extending 11th successive Serie A win for Lazio and saw the team close within three points of leader Juventus, and one behind second-placed Inter Milan.
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Ciro Immobile scored a hat trick on Saturday to help Lazio crush Sampdoria 5-1 as Simone Inzaghi’s side continued to look like a genuine title contender.
It was a miserable 23rd birthday for Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero.
Immobile, who turns 30 on Monday, then converted a penalty following a Nicola Murru handball, and doubled his tally three minutes later.
Karol Linetty grabbed a consolation goal but Sampdoria's misery was complete three minutes later when defender Julian Chabot was shown a straight red card for a foul on Lazio forward Bobby Adekanye as he was running clear on goal.
Lazio's players celebrate their victory at the end of the Italian Serie A Soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Lazio won 5-1.(AP PhotoAndrew Medichini)
Immobile has 23 league goals this season, nine more than any other player — and three more than Sampdoria.
Lazio's Ciro Immobile celebrates after he scored his side's third goal during a Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoAndrew Medichini)
It was a miserable 23rd birthday for Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero.
Lazio dominated from the start and was 3-0 up inside 20 minutes.
Immobile also had a hand in the opener as Audero could only parry his effort, allowing Felipe Caicedo to tap in the rebound.
Lazio's Ciro Immobile, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during an Italian Serie A Soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoAndrew Medichini)
Immobile, who turns 30 on Monday, then converted a penalty following a Nicola Murru handball, and doubled his tally three minutes later.
Sampdoria managed to hold Lazio at bay for the remainder of the first half but substitute Bastos extended the home side’s lead nine minutes into the second period, shortly after coming off the bench.
Immobile completed his hat trick with another penalty, in the 65th, after Omar Colley handled.
Lazio's Ciro Immobile, left, scores his side's third goal past Sampdoria's goalkeeper Emil Audero' during a Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoAndrew Medichini)
Karol Linetty grabbed a consolation goal but Sampdoria's misery was complete three minutes later when defender Julian Chabot was shown a straight red card for a foul on Lazio forward Bobby Adekanye as he was running clear on goal.
Napoli was playing Fiorentina later, after Torino’s match at Sassuolo.
Lazio's Felipe Caicedo, right, celebrates with his teammate Ciro Immobile after he scored his side's first goal during a Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoAndrew Medichini)
Lazio's players celebrate their victory at the end of the Italian Serie A Soccer match between Lazio and Sampdoria at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Lazio won 5-1.(AP PhotoAndrew Medichini)