ROME: Cesc Fabregas's Como ended their winless streak on Sunday and climbed to fourth in Serie A with a 3-1 victory at lowly Fiorentina.
First-half goals by Mattia Liberali and Nico Paz put the visitors in charge, before Marin Pongracic halved the deficit shortly before the interval.
Anastasios Douvikas netted early in the second period to put to bed any hope of a Florentine comeback and keep the hosts locked in the relegation zone on four points.
For Como it was a first win in four matches in all competitions, going back over the international break to mid-September.
After a strong start to the campaign, Como's charge stalled with a 2-0 loss at Frosinone, followed by a goalless draw at home to 10-man Roma and Wednesday's 3-2 reversal away to Feyenoord in the Champions League.
In Tuscany, 19-year-old Liberali put that poor run to the back of Como's minds just after the half-hour when he cut in on his left foot and bent a sumptuous finish low into the far corner to open the scoring.
Argentina international Paz doubled their advantage four minutes later with a well-controlled header.
Pongracic gave the hosts hope as he slammed in from close range from a set-piece in the 42nd minute.
Former Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea was at fault for Como's third as Douvikas's tame effort went through the Spaniard's legs on 56 minutes.
Earlier, Lecce won 3-0 at Udinese, with Kialonda Gaspar, Konan N'Dri and Jamil Siebert all finding the net.
AC Milan can leapfrog Como into fourth when they host Atalanta later Sunday, before Lazio travel to Juventus where a win would take the Romans level on 19 points with Inter Milan atop the table.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
