Udinese have ended a three-game winless run in Serie A by edging to a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria at the Stadio Friuli this afternoon.

Manuel Iturra came close to giving the hosts the lead when his drive was kept out by Emiliano Viviano, before Cyril Thereau fired wide from close range.

Sampdoria were also posing a threat down the other end of the pitch and Lorenzo De Silvestri dragged a shot off target after being set up by Eder.

In the 34th minute it was Udinese who took the lead as Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu raced onto Thereau's flick, before smashing a volley past Viviano from close range.

After the break, the visitors began to put more pressure on their opponents, with Luis Muriel and Fernando both placing efforts wide of the post.

However, Sampdoria were unable to find an equaliser, and their miserable afternoon was compounded in the final minute when Ervin Zukanovic saw a straight red card for hacking down Badu.