Udinese defender Cristian Zapata headed into his own net in the 87th minute after the visitors had twice equalized.

Hernanes gave Lazio an early lead, but Alexis Sanchez pulled Udinese level soon after halftime. Giuseppe Biava then put Lazio back in front, but German Denis headed Udinese level again.

AC Milan leads with 36 points, three ahead of Lazio.

Juventus and Napoli also had the chance to move to 33 points later on Sunday.

“It was a tough match, but after last week we were desperate to play,” Lazio captain Stefano Mauri said. “It was a difficult game, but we deserved to win it.” Lazio took the lead two minutes in. Tommaso Rocchi intercepted a weak pass and set up Hernanes to open the scoring.

Udinese came back strongly and Antonio Di Natale and Mauricio Isla both shot wide from close range.

Hernanes came close to doubling his tally in the 25th, but his shot from outside the area rattled off the bar.

The home side should have doubled its lead in the 42nd.

Rocchi led a Lazio counter attack and squared for Stephan Lichtsteiner, but Samir Handanovic saved his low shot and then held on to the follow up from Hernanes.

Udinese drew level early in the second half when Sanchez was left unmarked to head in, Biava scored Lazio's second three minutes later with a volley after Dias headed a corner back across the goal.

Denis' first goal for Udinese brought the visitors back to level terms, but with three minutes remaining Zapata sent Cristian Ledesma's corner into his own goal while under pressure from Libor Kozak.

“We have to improve every game,” Mauri said. “We deserve to be where we are but we have to keep looking forward. For now we'll enjoy the winter break and go again in 2011.”