Milan just four points away from title as Napoli fall again

In a round where Milan were without Ibrahimovic and Pato Cassano and Robinho were put upfront and they did not disappoint. It took a while for Milan to get going in this one and for a significant portion of the second half Brescia looked the more likely to score but a late Robinho winner sealed the win for Milan and also a likely relegation for Brescia this season. It was a huge win for Milan, not least because of Inter's victory over Lazio earlier in the day, and now leaves them requiring just four points from four games to be certain of taking their 18th Scudetto crown. With Bologna, Roma, Cagliari and Udinese to come for the Rossoneri they look odds on to achieve this.

Napoli were prior to this round Milan's closest competitors but they were defeated again, this time in Palermo to see them surpassed in the table by Inter. Edinson Cavani got Napoli of to the perfect start but a rejuvenated Palermo under returning manager Delio Rossi picked up three points for the second round in succession. Napoli now slide down to third place after Inter came from behind at home to Lazio to take three points. Lazio went ahead thanks to a Mauro Zarate penalty which also saw Inter reduced to ten men but the European Champions gritted their teeth as a stunning Sneijder free kick put them back on level terms. Shortly after the break Inter grabbed the winning goal after Giuseppe Biava slipped up allowing Samuel Eto'o to go clean through on goal and he made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

With Lazio losing this provided an opportunity for Udinese, Roma and Juve to close in on fourth spot, but only Roma were able to do this. A Simone Perotta goal gave them a vital win at home over Chievo, but Udinese crashed at home to Parma and Juve blew a two goal lead against Catania to pick up just one point.

The battle for survival looks set to be the closest fought element of the table, and with Sampdoria, Parma and Cesena all picking up vital three points this weekend it is not hard to see why. Bari are now officially down and Brescia remain 5 points away from safety, so it looks likely that only one spot remains left to be filled in the relegation battle. Right now Lecce fill that berth but are level on points with Sampdoria while Cesena, Catania and Parma have moved two to three points clear of them respectively. All have tough games next weekend but the clash between Sampdoria and Brescia will be one to keep an eye on, especially to see whether Samp have finally ended their horrendous run after last weekends win or whether Brescia can keep themselves alive in the race for survival.