Eran Zahavi put the home side in front after 13 minutes while further goals from Matias Silvestre (52) and Josip Ilicic (74) sealed the victory before Gaston Ramirez scored a late consolation for the visitors.

The defeat was only Bologna coach Stefano Pioli's second since he took charge a month ago.

In the day's other game, Roma surged into the top half of the table with a 2-0 win at Novara.

Bojan Krkic (73) and Pablo Osvaldo (76) were on target to earn Luis Enrique's side all three points against their plucky hosts, who remain inside the bottom three.