Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
Inter Milan stretched ahead of Juventus in their bid to become 'Winter Champions', a title that often leads to the real Scudetto winners. Inter stretched their lead by beating in form Fiorentina by 1-0 thanks to a late Diego Milito penalty. Inter once again though seemed to get the rub of the green as it were, when 5 minutes earlier a brilliant move from Alberto Gilardino came back of the woodwork after he left the Inter defence for dead. Prior to that Fiorentina though had the outstanding Sebastien Frey to thank for making a serious of stunning saves, including in the games dying embers a one on one with Sammy Eto'o. Inter however took the win, and move on to 35 points.
Catania 0-2 AC Milan
City rivals AC however continued their excellent form by picking up their sixth win in seven games on Sunday evening away at Catania, always a tricky place to go. AC started the brighter and through Seedorf could have gone one up in the early going, but he hit the side netting. After, it became difficult for Milan to break down Catania who seemed to be content with the point as they placed all 11 men firmly behind the ball. Still, the introduction of Inzaghi and Huntelaar made all the difference late on. Inzaghi went close within his first few seconds on the pitch but it was the dutchman Huntelaar who finally opened his Serie A account in the last minute of the game, but twice. The first was a half volley that crept under the keeper, while the second was a deft lob that left Andujar reaching for the stars. So, another vital three points for Milan and they will hope to make up ground on Inter next week as the nearazzuri have to travel to Turin to play Juventus.
Cagliari 2-0 Juventus
Speaking of Juventus there season seems to be going of the rails at the present moment. Defeat away to Bordeaux midweek has been followed by a defeat in Sardinia this weekend as Juve had no answer to a talented Cagliari side. Cagliari applied the pressure early as Daniele Conte had a couple of decent efforts on goal, but Brazilian Nene showed why he was top scorer in Portugal last season with a effort from distance that left Buffon with no chance as it crept into the top corner. Juve in the second half tried to respond with Diego being the architect both Molinaro and Del Piero both fluffed their lines. Matri wrapped up the win after going clear through on goal and sliding his effort under Buffon. Cagliari move up to 7th place in the table.
Lanterna derby: Genoa 3-0 Sampdoria
The big game of the round however took place on Saturday evening as two of the inform clubs in the top half took part in the Genoa derby. But, it was Genoa who asserted their style on the game from the get go and were rewarded with a penalty early on which Milanetto converted. It could have been two soon enough but an effort came back off the bar to give Sampdoria a chance. Sampdoria though were handed a life line late in the first half when Biava was sent off for a handling offence. Tempers were at boiling point now and it continued this way after the break. Genoa however even with ten men doubled their lead through as Rossi swept home nutmegging Castellazzi. It just continued to get worse for Sampdoria as their Rossi was given his marching orders. If it wasn't over then, then it was soon enough as Genoa were awarded another penalty which the inform Palladino duly converted. 3-0 was the final score in a derby that had everything.
Elsewhere
Lazio again failed to win for the 12th successive round and could only draw at home to Bologna before next weeks Rome derby. Rivals Roma however continued their winning ways by picking up three points in Bergamo against Atalanta thanks to Mirko Vucinic and Simone Perotta. Southern side Bari's remarkable start to the season shows no signs of relenting as they beat desperate Siena by 2-1 to move up to 21 points, while Siena remain bottom. In Parma Napoli managed to take a point from the Tardini as both these sides continue to build on good starts to the season. Parma though remain in 5th. Udinese finally got back to winning ways by beating Serse Cosmi's Livorno by 2-0 thanks to Antonio Di Natale and Floro Flores goals. However, Palermo continued their slump in form despite new manager Delio Rossi at the helm by going down in Verona to Chievo by 1-0.
Serie A by Numbers
Home wins: 6
Away wins: 2
Goals: 19
Top scorers: 10-Di Natale 9-Totti, Milito 8-Pazzini
Total attendance for round 14: 207523 from 9 games
Highest attendances for round 14: Inter 1-0 Fiorentina: 59,471, Genoa 3-0 Sampdoria: 33,265, Lazio 0-0 Bologna: 30,489
Season average attendance: 24,096
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