Sampdoria moved up to fifth place in Serie A by easing to a 4-1 victory over Udinese this afternoon.

Angelo Palombo had the first real opening for the visitors, but he could only drag his low effort from the edge of the box wide of the far post.

Sampdoria continued to look the more threatening and took the lead in 25th minute when Pawel Wszolek drove to the byline and pulled the ball across for Roberto Soriano to slot in from close range.

The Blucerchiati almost added a second goal just moments later, but, after being found at the back post by Afriyie Acquah, Alfred Duncan could only place his header over the bar.

On the stroke of half time, Panagiotis Kone came close to equalising for Udinese when he rose unmarked to meet a corner and headed over the top.

After the break, Sampdoria threatened a second goal when Duncan saw his initial attempt saved, before firing the rebound against the post. The ball then dropped kindly to Luis Muriel inside the box, but his shot was blocked on the line.

Cyril Thereau then saw his effort ruled out for offside, before Silvan Widmer headed against the post as Udinese pressed for a leveller.

However, the hosts were caught out once again in the 63rd minute as Soriano tapped in from close range after Luka Djordjevic's effort had been parried.

Sampdoria continued to threaten and Djordjevic saw another attempt saved, before Acquah placed a low shot wide of the post.

With 10 minutes of the match left, Sampdoria further extended their lead as Acquah raced onto Duncan's pass before sliding a low effort past the keeper.

Antonio Di Natale pulled a goal back for Udinese with a late penalty, but, within minutes, Duncan fired in a fourth for Sampdoria to seal the three points and boost their hopes of qualifying for the Europa Leauge.