Despite Lazio’s away games being notoriously tight in the opening 45 minutes, with just five first-half goals in their 15 away league games this season, it was the men from the capital who dominated the early stages of the match.
Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea was twice on hand to maintain the deadlock, as he tipped away an early Mattia Zaccagni effort at full stretch before denying Matteo Cancellieri with his legs moments later.
By the halfway stage, the contest had been reduced to a lifeless stalemate, but from that gloom and boredom came the unexpected opening goal.
Gosens rose above Manuel Lazzari to meet Jack Harrison’s cross and, despite the German heading the ball into the ground without much pace, the placement was enough to beat Edoardo Motta in the Lazio goal.
Having received a knockout blow to their UEFA Conference League chances with a heavy midweek defeat to Crystal Palace, Serie A survival is now Fiorentina’s sole focus.
For a long time, La Viola looked comfortable in their pursuit of a vital three points, with their biggest scare coming in the 65th minute when they were made to await a long VAR review for a Lazio penalty appeal, but referee Michael Fabbri stuck with his original decision not to point to the spot.
The away side’s attempts to get back into the game were as underwhelming as it was futile, with the Biancocelesti managing just one shot on target in the second half, as Maurizio Sarri’s men saw their slim chances of a top six vanish into the ether of the damp Tuscan night.
For the home fans, it was another positive step in their rejuvenation after a disastrous start to the campaign, and a welcome comeback from their horror show in England.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jack Harrison (Fiorentina)