poli pass Atalanta test

Bergamo, Jan 21: poli on Sunday achieved a hard fought 1-0 victory against hosts Atalanta in the 21st round to strengthen their grip over the top spot in the Serie A football league. Returning to competition after a two-week break, poli's Belgian forward Dries Mertens scored a goal in the 65th minute, which proved to be decisive.

Following their win, poli continue to top the Serie A table with 54 points, four ahead of the second-placed Juventus, who are set to take on Genoa on Monday evening.

Lazio crushed Chievo 5-1 to jump to the provisiol third spot with 43 points -- one ahead of Inter Milan, who host fifth-placed Roma (39 points) later in the evening in Milan.

Elsewhere, Fabio Quagliarella scored a hat-trick as hosts Sampdoria downed Fiorenti 3-1 to jump to the sixth spot. Sassuolo held Torino 1-1 at home as the former jumped to the 14th spot.

Crotone beat Vero 3-0 to move to the 17th position, overtaking SPAL who drew Udinese 1-1.

Bolog defeated bottom-placed Benevento 3-0 to put pressure on 11th-placed Fiorenti. Bolog have 27 points -- one less than Fiorenti. IANS