Lazio replaced their fierce city rivals Roma as the leading challengers in the battle to chase down Serie A leaders Juventus by hammering Empoli 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. The Biancocelesti took a fourth-minute lead through captain Stefano Mauri with Miroslav Klose adding a second just after the half-hour mark. Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson plundered further goals to ensure an eighth straight league win for the Coppa Italia finalists, who now lead Roma by a single point. Miroslav Klose celebrates as he grabs Lazio's second goal of the game in the win against Empoli . Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri celebrates with teammate Antonio Candreva after scoring . The Giallorossi are now 13 points behind Juve after struggling to draw 1-1 at Torino on Sunday. Rudi Garcia's men needed an Alessandro Florenzi penalty to take the lead on 57 minutes, but Maxi Lopez promptly equalised to send Roma towards their ninth draw from 13 games. Napoli's Belgium forward Dries Mertens celebrates after scoring during their win against Fiorentina . Napoli shrugged off the disappointment of a disallowed ghost goal to push on and beat Fiorentina 3-0 to retake fourth place. The Azzurri returned to the race for a Champions League place when Dries Mertens opened the scoring midway through the first half. Gonzalo Higuain's thunderous drive appeared to cross the line before the break, only for the officials to rule otherwise, meaning Marek Hamsik and Jose Callejon had to make the points safe. Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik celebrates his goal as Napoli thumped Fiorentina at home . Palermo's long wait for a second away win came to an end with a 3-1 win at Udinese. Achraaf Lazaar put the visitors on their way in the 15th minute before Luca Rigoni doubled Palermo's lead six minutes later and Ivaylo Chochev made it 3-0 in the 66th minute. Udinese did not take a shot on goal until nine minutes from time when Antonio Di Natale beat Palermo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino. Palermo's Luca Rigoni celebrates an important goal as they record just their second away win of the season . Sergio Pellissier struck late on to boost Chievo 13 points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory at Cesena, while Atalanta opened a seven-point gap on the drop zone with a precious win. Two goals from German Denis in Bergamo saw the Nerazzurri edge out Sassuolo 2-1, with Domenico Berardi notching a second-half goal for the visitors. Atalanta ace German Denis celebrates after scoring in the win over Sassuolo in Bergamo .
Lazio closed the gap on leaders Juventus with 4-0 thumping of Empoli .
Win sees Lazio leapfrog rivals Roma into second place 12 points off Juve .
Napoli smashed three past Fiorentina to comfortably regain fourth place .
Palermo earned just their second away win of the season with Udinese win .