Parma got a much-needed 2-1 victory over the 10 men of Sampdoria to move away from the relegation zone and up to mid-table in Serie A.
An incident late in the first half handed Parma the initiative as goalkeeper Sergio Romero was sent off for a foul on Jonathan Biabiany inside the area and Amauri dispatched the penalty.
Parma made the most of their man advantage as Amauri doubled the lead early in the second half and, although Samp were handed a route back into the match with an Eder penalty nine minutes from time, Parma hung on for three vital points.
Cagliari put their off-field woes to one side as they climbed out of the relegation zone with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bologna.
Radja Nainggolan's placed finish on the hour was enough to secure the points for the Sardinians in front of a sparse crowd at the Is Arenas Stadium.
Only season ticket holders were allowed into the ground as Cagliari's battle over their home rumbles on, but they could at least celebrate a second win in as many games since Ivo Pulga took charge.
Pulga led Cagliari to their first win away to Torino a fortnight ago and after he saw his side again win 1-0 they are also still to concede since he took the reins from Massimo Ficcadenti.
Chievo and Fiorentina could only score once apiece in a pulsating game at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.
Cyril Thereau gave Chievo the lead in the 17th minute, but Gonzalo Rodriguez equalised less than a minute later.
The closest either side came to winning it was when Luca Toni hit the post for Fiorentina just before half-time, but despite the chances, the game ended all square at 1-1.
Maicosuel scored the only goal as Udinese overcame having to play for an hour with 10 men to claim a narrow 1-0 win over Pescara, just their second in the league this season.
Udinese had started the better of the two teams but the complexion of the game changed after half an hour when Danilo was sent off following his second yellow card.
However, Pescara could not take advantage and instead it was Maicosuel who pounced on a mistake by Pescara midfielder Manuele Blasi eight minutes after the break to guide the hosts to victory.
Atalanta came from behind to beat fellow strugglers Siena 2-1, leaving their opponents six points behind them and at the bottom.
Giacomo Bonaventura's goal eight minutes from time was enough to win the game for Stefano Colantuono's side, who fell behind to a goal from Reginaldo on the hour mark.
Luca Cigarini replied immediately for the Nerazzurri before Bonaventura's winner while Siena's Carlos Carmona was sent off from the bench for complaining about a penalty which was not given.
Palermo continued their steady recent improvement under Gian Piero Gasperini after drawing 0-0 at home with mid-table Torino, although it was not enough to lift the Sicilian outfit out of the bottom two.
