dimanche 20 février 2011

Napoli keep leaders AC Milan within reach ahead of showdown

A 1-0 win against guests Catania late Sunday kept Napoli within three points of Serie A leaders AC Milan a week before a direct clash at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Colombian defender Juan Zuniga scored a first-half winner at the San Paolo, firing to the right of Mariano Andujar after Catania defenders stifled a drive by league top scorer Edinson Cavani.

The Sicily minnows had come close earlier as Ezequiel Schelotto's header shook the woodwork before Uruguayan Cavani fired a penalty against a post to stay rooted on 20 goals.

Slovak Marek Hamsik opened the hosts' second half with a firm shot, but the remainder of the game saw Catania keep Napoli under constant but fruitless pressure.

Earlier Sunday, Milan snatched a controversial 2-1 win at Chievo to move onto 55 points from 26 games.

Brazilian Pato came on halfway through the second half to score a late winner with a devastating run and a soft drive by the first post.

The Devils' opening goal on 25 minutes enraged the home fans, who unlike the game officials, watched Brazilian Robinho lay in after a glaring handball off an aerial feed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibra had a smashing shot deflected by Stefano Sorrentino before Milan ran a big risk when Sergio Pellissier misfired from few metres away before the break.

Swiss Gelson Fernandes levelled with a header on 61 minutes, but the Verona hosts lost steam after Pato's 82nd-minute goal due to the dismissal of Slovenian Bostian Cesar for handball.

On Saturday, Inter moved onto 50 points through a 1-0 win snatched with an own goal against visiting Cagliari.

Fourth place remained firmly in the hands of Lazio after Brazilian Hernanes volleyed home a great winner to edge bottom side Bari 1-0 and retain the last available Champions League berth.

A suicidal Roma squandered a three-goal lead in Genoa to suffer a 4-3 defeat as the hosts rallied with braces from Argentine Rodrigo Palacio and Alberto Paloschi. Genoa had Rafinha sent off in injury time.

The side from the capital continued a disastrous run and stayed rooted in eighth place after two draws and a third straight defeat.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri resigned in the wake of the third straight defeat.

"I have always thought about the good of Roma. After a game like that of today, I thought it was fair to give a signal," the ANSA news agency quoted Ranieri as saying.

"After the whistle, I went into the changing rooms to thank the team and I decided to offer my resignation."

Udinese only drew 0-0 at home with lowly Brescia, Fiorentina and Sampdoria also played out a scoreless draw and Parma drew 2-2 with Cesena in a regional derby.

Struggling giants Juventus crashed to a 2-0 defeat at minnows Lecce earlier Sunday in a game that they played for the most part without the dismissed Gianluigi Buffon.

On Saturday, Bologna beat Palermo 1-0.

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