Inter Milan moved three points clear at the top of Serie A after
Argentine Hernan Crespo's fourth minute goal gave them a 1-0 win
over Reggina at the San Siro on Sunday while rivals AS Roma crushed
Catania 7-0.
Champions Inter opened up a gap over rivals Palermo who lost 1-0
to Cagliari on Saturday. Roberto Mancini's side have 30 points,
Palermo are on 27 while Roma are on 26 after their roasting of
Catania.
Midfielder Simone Perrotta and defender Christian Panucci scored
twice each for Roma against a Catania side who had striker Giuseppe
Mascara sent off in the 15th minute.
Rome's other club Lazio also enjoyed an emphatic win against
Sicilian opponents, Italy midfielder Stefano Mauri scoring twice in
a 4-1 win at Messina.
Inter took an early lead when French midfielder Patrick Vieira
glanced a header to an unmarked Crespo who volleyed home from close
range.
But Reggina responded well, putting Inter under pressure with
Simone Missiroli hitting the post before their Honduran striker
Leon forced a great save out of Inter's Brazilian keeper Julio
Cesar.
Inter introduced Brazilian striker Adriano, who had been rested
for the past month, as a substitute after the break but while the
forward looked sharp, Inter failed to extend their lead.
Mancini's side were relieved when a late effort from Rolando
Bianchi was disallowed for offside. The Inter coach said his side
had found it hard going.
"It was a difficult match for us and Reggina deserve credit for
the way they played," said Mancini.
"The fact is that if you don't wrap up the game you are going to
find it hard work against a team like that."
ROMA RAMPAGE
Roma went on the rampage at the Olympic stadium with Panucci
heading them in front before Mascara was red-carded for swinging
his elbow at Roma defender Cristian Chivu.
Brazilian Mancini made it 2-0 with a left-foot shot before
Perrotta finished off a solo run to put the game beyond Catania
with just 25 minutes on the clock.
Perrotta hit his second and Roma's fourth with a drive from the
edge of the area and then after the break Panucci tapped in from
close range before substitute Vincenzo Montella made it 6-0 with a
goal on the break.
Roma's seventh came from captain Francesco Totti, who pounced on
a clearance to fire home a shot from the edge of the area and
complete the rout.
Catania's misery was completed when Davide Baiocco was sent off
in the last minute for a second yellow card.
(Reuters November 20, 2006)