Fiorentina secured three big points with a 1-0 win over Lazio at the Stadio Franchi on Monday evening, with Robin Gosens' first-half header proving to be the decisive goal.

David De Gea was called into action after just three minutes when he pulled off a superb save to deny Mattia Zaccagni, and the Spaniard stepped up again seven minutes later to keep out Matteo Cancellieri's effort.

The Viola broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. A well-worked team move finished with Jack Harrison providing a pinpoint pass from the right for the head of Gosens, whose downwards header bounced past the keeper and in off the post.

Fiorentina went close to doubling their lead around the hour mark after Giovanni Fabbian beat Nuno Tavares to the ball and found Harrison: his first shot was blocked by the defense then his second stab was saved by Edoardo Motta.

With ten minutes left on the clock De Gea again had to be alert to save Petar Ratkow's header then in added time Paolo Vanoli's side had several chances to extend their lead, with Fabbian heading over and Cher Ndour firing narrowly wide.

The victory lifts Fiorentina up to 35 points in the standings, eight points above the relegation spots.

Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio (HT 1-0)

Scorer: Gosens 28.

FIORENTINA (4-1-4-1): De Gea; Dodo, Rugani (Pongracic 71), Ranieri, Gosens (Balbo 79); Ndour; Harrison, Mandragora, Fabbian, Fazzini (Solomon 84); Piccoli. 

Subs not used: Christensen, Lezzerini, Comuzzo, Kospo, Kouadio, Deli, Cianciulli, Braschi, Puzzoli.

Coach: Paolo Vanoli. 

LAZIO (4-3-3): Motta; Lazzari, Romagnoli, Provstgaard, Tavares; Basic (Dele-Bashiru 46), Patric, Taylor (Ratkov 79); Cancellieri (Isaksen 67), Dia (Pedro 67), Zaccagni (Noslin 46).

Subs not used: Furlanetto, Giacomone, Hysaj, Cataldi, Pellegrini, Belahyane, Przyborek. 

Coach: Maurizio Sarri.

Booked: Rugani, Noslin, Dodo, Piccoli, Pedro.