Serie A round-up: Josip Ilicic brace keeps La Viola's Scudetto dream alive

Fiorentina maintained their pursuit of a first title in almost 50 years with a 3-1 win at Palermo.

Paulo Sousa's Tuscans were largely grateful to Josip Ilicic, who returned to the Stadio Renzo Barbera to smash a brace past his previous employers.

Alberto Gilardino also scored against his former paymasters to set up a nervy finish, but Jakub Blaszczykowski made sure of the win with a third goal for Fiorentina.

Ten-man Sassuolo shared the points with Frosinone after a 2-2 draw at the Mapei Stadium.

Gregoire Defrel cancelled out Federico Dionisi's opener for Frosinone and Diego Falcinelli spoiled the visitors' fun by equalising after Arlind Ajeti scored. Sassuolo took a point, but had Lorenzo Pellegrini sent off at the death.

Udinese held off Atalanta to secure a 2-1 victory in the early kick-off at Stadio Friuli.

Cyril Thereau's seventh goal of the season and Stipe Perica's second were enough to render Marco D'Alessandro's late response for Udinese redundant.

Elsewhere, Lazio's inconsistent form carried into the new year as relegation-threatened Carpi ground out a goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico.