Ciro Immobile scored the first penalty in Lazio's 3-0 win against Serie A strugglers Spezia on Friday, his first goal in nearly two months.
Immobile helped Lazio strengthen their ground on second place with a fourth straight win, scoring from the penalty spot in the 36th minute at the Stadio Picco to bring his league tally in an injury-plagued season to ten.
Felipe Anderson won the penalty after collapsing under Ethan Ampadu's charge, which was brutally ruled to be both a foul and a bookable offense.
Anderson extended the visitors' lead six minutes after the interval, finishing off a quick-passing move that also included Luis Alberto and Immobile.
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When Anderson's Brazilian compatriot Marcos Antonio slipped around Spezia goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski and rolled in the third, Lazio fell 13 points behind league leaders Napoli.
"The goal was significant for me because this season hasn't been all that good," Immobile told Sky Sports.
"It's been a bad season for me; once you start getting injured, it can seem like it goes on forever, but I'm not giving up."
The victory strengthens Lazio's chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season. They are eight points ahead of third-placed Roma, who play Udinese on Sunday night.
AC Milan is a point behind them in fourth, and Inter Milan is just outside the top four before of their Lombardy derby with Monza on Saturday evening.
Champions-elect Napoli hosts Verona, who are marginally outside the relegation zone. Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti stated that Victor Osimhen will be available.
Nigeria forward Osimhen has been sidelined with an injury since the international break, but he should participate in Naples with the hope of being able to start Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final match against AC Milan.
Spezia's defeat also allowed Cremonese to keep dreaming of a spectacular escape after Cyriel Dessers gave the promoted side their third win of the season, 1-0 over Empoli.
Cremonese are 19th, seven points below Spezia, who visit bottom-of-the-table Sampdoria next weekend.
