Soccer-Samp hit five past Crotone to maintain perfect home record

MILAN, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Sampdoria kept up their impressive start to the latest Serie A campaign and maintained their perfect home record when they thumped hapless Crotone 5-0 on Saturday, with five players sharing the goals.

Defender Gian Marco Ferrari began the rout by heading in from a free kick in the third minute against his former club and Fabio Quagliarella drilled home a penalty eight minutes later after Duvan Zapata was hauled back in the area.

Colombian Zapata also set up the third in the 38th minute when he held off a challenge to reach the byline and provide an easy chance for Gianluca Caprari to turn the ball in at the far post.

Karol Linetty put the finishing touch to a well-worked move in the 71st minute and substitute Dawid Kownacki pounced on a poor clearance by Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz five minutes later to complete the scoring.

Sampdoria, who have won four out of four at home, moved up to fifth with 17 points from eight games while Crotone, who pulled off a great escape to avoid the drop last season, are 16th with six. (Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; Editing by Christian Radnedge)