Inter keep AC Milan at bay as Juventus crash at Cagliari (Roundup)

By Alberto Cagliano Nov 29, 2009, 21:26 GMT

Rome - Inter Milan won 1-0 Sunday at home to Fiorentina through a spot kick to remained seven points clear of AC Milan, who beat Catania 2-0 to leapfrog Juventus into second place.

Juventus, who crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Cagliari, welcome Inter next weekend, when Milan are at home to Sampdoria.

AC Milan were far from convincing but still beat minnows Catania as young Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came on late in a weekend- closing game to notch a last-gasp brace for the Devils.

Champions Inter moved onto 35 points from 14 games, securing victory on their rain-soaked pitch only when Argentine Diego Milito converted a spot kick with five minutes to go.

Although the penalty was controversial, Inter's win was well deserved as the Serie A champions had several chances earlier in the game.

Milito, who is now the second best scorer on nine goals, came close on 15 minutes after defender Per Kroldrup botched a clearance, but the Argentine's shot was blocked by Frenchman Sebastien Frey.

In the first half, Portuguese Ricardo Quaresma fired wide, and Cameroon ace Samuel Eto'o poorly controlled a ball he could have fired past Frey.

A wide drive from Milito and a missed header from Brazil defender Lucio in the second half preceded a great chance for Fiorentina, whose international Alberto Gilardino fired against the post after getting the better of Lucio and Walter Samuel.

Four minutes later, a clash between Gianluca Comotto and Milito was sanctioned with a spot kick that the Argentine converted before Eto'o had a spurt well blocked by Frey.

After a narrow 4-3 defeat last weekend at Milan, Cagliari again showed their disrespect for powerhouses and left few chances to Juve, threatening with two efforts from Daniele Conti before Brazilian Nene on 30 minutes fired under the bar by the closest post.

Juve's pressing caused few problems to Cagliari, and things did not improve when veteran Alessandro Del Piero replaced midfielder Claudio Marchisio on the hour.

Defender Giorgio Chiellini missed from close range for Juve, and Brazilian Diego tried two efforts that lacked the ruthlessness of Alessandro Matri, who burst past Fabio Cannavaro to finish off a deadly counterattack on 87 minutes.

Roma came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win at Atalanta, in-form newcomers Parma drew 1-1 against Napoli, Bari rallied to beat bottom side Siena 2-1, Chievo edged Palermo 1-0, and Lazio and Bologna drew 0-0.

On Saturday, Genoa crushed Sampdoria 3-0, and Udinese beat Livorno 2-0.