Hernanes gave Lazio their first Marassi victory in over eight years, ruining Delio Rossi’s Sampdoria debut and propelling them into second place.

It had been a dramatic few days for Samp, who sacked Coach Ciro Ferrara to bring in ex-Lazio and Fiorentina boss Rossi. The Blucerchiati had one point from three rounds and were sliding back towards the drop zone, though the dismissal still came as a surprise. Rossi began by facing his old club, who were pushing to stay as Scudetto dark horses.

Fernando Tissone sat out a ban for the home side along with the injured Maxi Lopez, while Lazio missed Ederson, Lorik Cana, Eddy Onazi, Tommaso Rocchi and the suspended Antonio Candreva. Mauro Zarate was again dropped after a dispute.

Lazio had a dreadful record at Marassi, managing only one point from their last six visits since a 1-0 win in September 2004.

Federico Marchetti needed an early save on Mauro Icardi’s deflected snapshot, then fingertipped Eder’s screamer out from under the bar.

Lazio took the lead with their first real opportunity. Senad Lulic got down the left and his pull-back was palmed into the path of Hernanes, whose shot took a deflection off Daniele Gastaldello to wrong-foot Sergio Romero.

Samp threatened an equaliser, but Daniele Gastaldello’s glancing header whistled inches past the upright. Roberto Soriano came on for the second half and within 20 seconds had been booked for a very high tackle on Cristian Ledesma.

Soriano flashed a snapshot just past the upright, as did substitute Nicola Pozzi, though Jonathan Rossini had to charge down Abdoullay Konko’s strike.