Solid newcomers Parma hold on to fourth place (Roundup)

By Alberto Cagliano Dec 6, 2009, 21:04 GMT

Rome - Serie A newcomers Parma retained fourth place Sunday with a 2-2 draw at Genoa, who remained one point adrift in fifth position.

Changes at the top took place Saturday when Juventus beat leaders Inter Milan 2-1 and are now five points behind, while second-place AC Milan profited from the champions' slip-up, pulling within four points through a 3-0 drubbing of Sampdoria.

In Genoa, a brace from Parma's French forward Jonathan Biabiany reversed the opening goal from Argentine Rodrigo Palacio, but the hosts levelled the intense game with a 67th-minute drive from Raffaele Palladino.

Fiorentina prevailed 2-0 against Atalanta after two straight defeats and joined Sampdoria, Genoa and Roma in fifth place - a standing that better suits the only Italian side to have qualified for the Champions League knock-out phase with one group game left.

Peruvian Juan Vargas drilled home a searing, long-range drive, and Argentine Alberto Santana sent a free kick against the post in the first half, while Alberto Gilardino scored a late goal after the Bergamo guests had Chile's Jaime Valdes dismissed.

An islanders derby saw Sicily's Palermo come from behind to win 2- 1 against Sardinia guests Cagliari through second-half goals from Croat Igor Budan and Dane Simon Kjaer.

In Naples, Napoli fought hard to beat 10-man newcomers Bari 3-2, thanks to a brace from Fabio Quagliarella.

The striker levelled a second-half lead from Brazilian Barreto and gave the hosts a late win after team mate Christian Maggio scored for 2-2 with Bari one man down.

Bari defender Alessandro Parisi was dismissed with 25 minutes left, and Andrea Ranocchia, a defender who scored Bari's second, was sent off in injury time.

Bologna edged Udinese 2-1 to improve a still lowly standing, and Chievo won 2-0 at 10-man strugglers Livorno, whose veteran striker Cristiano Lucarelli made things easier for the already leading guests by being sent off for protests in the first half.

Tuscany side Siena drew level at the bottom with Catania, beating them 3-2 despite a brace from Uruguayan Jorge Martinez, who twice put the Sicilians ahead.

Roma beat Lazio 1-0 later Sunday to gain fifth place as Marco Cassetti fired home the winner on 78 minutes to leave the city rivals just one point above the drop zone.

After a dull hour of play, an amazing save from Roma's Julio Sergio thrilled the 60,000 viewers as the Brazilian blocked a sure- fire tap-in from Stefano Mauri after Argentine Mauro Zarate hit the post.

Uruguayan Fernando Muslera shone on the opposite side, slapping Simone Perrotta's close-range header from under the bar.

He stood no chance on Cassetti's drive but limited damage by deflecting a smashing shot from Norse John Riise on 85 minutes.

Roma's Chilean David Pizzarro was sent off after a second booking with two minutes to go, but Lazio failed to profit from the advantage.

The classic match was suspended for about five minutes as hooligans set off high-powered firecrackers inside the Stadio Olimpico. Before the game, hooligans reportedly exploded crackers and hurled stones, bolts and bottles at a group of police officers, who responded by firing tear gas.