Samp continue strong start

A Maxi Lopez double helped Sampdoria maintain their 100 per cent start to the Serie A season with a 3-2 win at Pescara.

A Maxi Lopez double helped Sampdoria maintain their 100 per cent start to the Serie A season with a 3-2 win at Pescara. The Argentinian gave his side the lead, which was doubled by Marcelo Estigarribia in the second period. Mervan Celik pulled a goal back for the hosts with 15 minutes left before Lopez netted again to extend his side's advantage, as Gianluca Caprari scored a late consolation. The home side came close to making the perfect start when, after six minutes, Ante Vukusic smashed an effort on to the bar from 20 yards out. And after half an hour they were made to pay as Lopez netted from close range following an excellent pass from Eder. The Brazilian striker went close to doubling his side's advantage a minute after the restart after his effort flew just wide of the right-hand post. Three minutes later Vukusic hit the bar again from inside the box after his effort was deflected by Sampdoria stopper Tommaso Berni. The visitors were two up on the hour mark after Estigarribia's run from the left channel went unchallenged with the Paraguayan slotting past Mattia Perin. Pescara were back in the match after 75 minutes when Celik beat the offside trap and then Berni to reduce arrears, but just two minutes later Lopez restored his side's two-goal advantage. Caprari completed the scoring with just a minute left with a drilled effort from outside the area, but it was too little too late for the home side who are yet to get off the mark in the league.