Atalanta snap Napoli's winning streak, Udinese break 10-man Roma

ROME - The race for the Champions League spots in the Serie A effectively ended on Thursday as fourth-placed Atalanta extended their lead to 12 points over fifth-placed Roma, after beating Napoli 2-0, while the Giallorossi suffered a home defeat to Udinese.

Napoli entered Thursday's game with five wins on the trot, but the streak was snapped by Atalanta in just eight minutes.

After a goalless first half, the Dea broke the deadlock through a counter-attack two minutes after the restart, as Alejandro Gomez's floated cross found Mario Pasalic who steered his header into the net.

The home side quickly rode the momentum and extended the lead in the 55th minute when Robin Gosens sent his daisy-cutter into the net to help Atalanta claim their seventh straight win, a new record for the club.

Roma were dealt a blow at Olimpico Stadium as they were stunned by Udinese 2-0.

It took just 12 minutes for the visitors to score the opener, as Rodrigo de Paul's wayward shot turned into an assist for Kevin Lasagna, who finished with a volley from a close range.

Roma were one player down before the half-hour mark as Diego Perotti saw red after stamping on Rodrigo Becao during a challenge.

The home side almost found the equalizer in the 33rd minute but a deflected shot from Bryan Cristante smacked off the woodwork.

Udinese sealed the game in the 78th minute when unmarked Ilija Nestorovski tapped in de Paul's assist.