Seria A : Inter extend their lead as Milan humble

Inter Milan 2 - 1 Napoli

Inter Milan's Serie A lead doubled to six points on Sunday as they defeated SSC Napoli 2-1 in an afternoon encounter and their neighbours AC Milan lost 3-1 to US Città di Palermo in the late game.

Napoli gifted their hosts a 16th-minute advantage with poor defending at a short corner that was played to Sulley Muntari, who crossed for Colombian centre-back Ivan Cordoba to volley home on the turn. Inter's second was pure class as Julio Cruz's backheel presented Maicon with space to shoot inside the box. He scuffed his effort but it arrived at Muntari's feet on the edge of the six-yard box and the Ghana midfielder reacted quickly to flick the ball between his legs and past the helpless Gennaro Iezzo on 25 minutes.

Nine minutes before the break the visitors fashioned a brilliant goal of their own. Ezequiel Lavezzi cut in from the right flank and played the ball into Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta who, with his back to goal, back-heeled the ball past a line of blue and black shirts. Argentina forward Lavezzi had continued his run and found himself clean through before cleverly dinking the ball over Julio Cesar as the Brazilian goalkeeper dived at his feet.

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Palermo 1 - 3 AC Milan

AC Milan crashed, 3-1, at Palermo on Sunday to hand city rivals and reigning champions Inter Milan a six-point lead at the top of the Serie A table. Milan remained third on goal difference behind Juventus who beat Reggina, 4-0, on Saturday in a match that saw veteran Italian striker Alessandro Del Piero score his 250th goal for the club.

Palermo dominated for an hour in Sicily but Milan had the better chances of the first half. Goalkeeper Marco Amelia saved a Ronaldinho penalty on 27 minutes after he had knocked into Pato. Ronaldinho also hit the crossbar in first-half stoppage time direct from a free-kick but Palermo had enjoyed more pressure. Five minutes into the second half Fabrizio Miccoli faked to shoot on the edge of the box, made space and then curled a right-footer around Christian Abbiati.

Just before the hour mark Fabio Liverani chipped the ball into the area and Brazilian forward Edison Cavani rose above Paolo Maldini to head home. Brazilian Simplicio was left completely unmarked in the box to head in the third 10 minutes from time from a Federico Balzaretti cross. Ronaldinho scored a consolation from the spot seven minutes from time after he was brought down by Cesare Bovo. fifa

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Full results;

Catania 1 - 1 Lecce
Juventus 4 - 0 Reggina
.......
AS Roma 1 - 0 Fiorentina
Atalanta 2 - 0 Lazio
Cagliari 1 - 0 Sampdoria
Genoa 1 - 1 Bologna
Inter Milan 2 - 1 Napoli
Siena 1 - 0 Torino
Udinese 0 - 1 Chievo
Palermo 3 - 1 AC Milan