Sampdoria had the best chances in their home game against Udinese but a late goal from Kingsley Ehizibue helped the Bianconeri win their first match in over three months.
The Blucerchiati paid an emotional tribute to club legend Gianluca Vialli before kick-off with several of his friends and former teammates on the pitch.
Harry Winks started his first Serie A match and Samp had the best chance of the game through Filip Djuricic, who missed the big target all alone in front of Marco Silvestri.
Emil Audero denied Lazar Samardzic in the second half before Ehizibue disrupted Sam Lammers who had gone for the goal with a header from an excellent position.
Rolando Vieira had another big chance for the Blucerchiati but sent his shot over the bar from inside the box. Winks almost scored from a corner kick and Udinese had two chances from set piece, but both Rodrigo Becao nor Jaka Bijol sent the ball wide.
Andrea Sottil introduced Gerard Deulofeu and Udinese became more and more dangerous. The Bianconeri broke the deadlock at minute 87 through Ehizibue, but Sampdoria protested for a potential foul of Isaac Success on Bram Nuytinck.
Deulofeu was then subbed off because of an injury.
Dejan Stankovic’s men were shocked and almost conceded another one during stoppage time, but Audero denied Destiny Udogie.
Udinese had won their last Serie A game on October 3, while Samp have now lost seven consecutive games at Marassi, failing to score in the last six.