Fiorentina vs. Sampdoria

Headers in either half, the first from Stevan Jovetic and the second by Alberto Gilardino, condemned the Blucerchiati to their first defeat of the season.

The hosts,who initially struggled with Samp's set-pieces, watched their keeper Sebastien Frey acrobatically keep out a goal-bound Antonio Cassano volley from a corner and Marco Rossi went close moments later from a similar situation during an uneven opening for the home team.

La Viola, took the proceedings head-long, with Marco Marchionni and Juan Vargas dominating their respective flanks, carving out plenty of chances for their front-men.

Massimo Gobbi swapped passes with Jovetic after 14 minutes on a sortie forward and set-up Gilardino with an accurate through ball, but the forward could not guide his side-footer inside the post.

Jovetic then fired wide off a delivery from the left, with a spectacular attempt, as Sampdoria were put on the back foot. Vargas was next to try his luck, striking wide, but it was not long until the home side had a deserved lead.

Vargas crossed long and the ball was retrieved by Marchionni; he re-delivered into the area with an inviting centre and Jovetic rose criminally unchallenged to nod his side ahead.

The Montenegrin was unlucky not to have had a penalty given moments later as Marius Stankevicius bundled him over in the box from a neat Marchionni delivery.

Samp were boxed in and could only provide an intermittent threat; on the break, Giampaolo Pazzini found the energetic Daniele Mannini inside the box but he was repelled by Frey. The Frenchman was also alert to keep out Pazzini's well-guided volley just before the break.

However, it was the Gigliati who ended the period in command; Jovetic's shot, from a Cristiano Zanetti header, was well fielded by Luca Castellazzi, before Marchionni bent the last chance of the half wide.

The hosts continued to assert themselves after the break; Vargas, influencing proceedings increasingly, won the ball in midfield and made Castellazzi work; the Peru left-sider then switched the play magnificently at the apex of a patient Fiorentina move to tee-up Marchionni for a volley which stung the palms of the 'keeper.

The craft of Antonio Cassano offered a glimmer of hope for Samp but Andrea Poli could not head on target following neat work and a cross from il 'Talentino' on the hour.

Sixty-five minutes in and Cesare Prandelli's side wrapped up the points; Vargas robbed Luciano Zauri and made for the corner. Holding off the Lazio loanee, he dug out a sumptuous cross that allowed Gilardino to power a header through the hands of the Blucerchiati number one.

The custodian was on hand to limit the damage with ten minutes to play, Jovetic prompted Mario Santana with a clever pass but the substitute could only find the gloves of Castellazzi.