2ND Inter Milan, Palermo win at top; AC Milan stumble again By Alberto Cagliano

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Sunday November 5, 2006

Milan- Title holders Inter Milan secured an easy 2-0 win Sunday over Ascoli to remain joint leaders of the Serie A with Palermo, who beat Sampdoria at home by the same score. Third-place Roma trail on 20 points, having won by 3-1 a late game over guests Fiorentina as Daniele De Rossi and a by from Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei reversed a lead scored by Fiorentina's Czech Tomas Ujfalusi in the first half.

Promoted Atalanta follow one point adrift, after a 2-0 upset of troubled 10-man AC Milan, who like Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina, received a point penalties from a match-fixing trial held over the summer.

Atalanta took the lead from a searing Nicola Ventola drive on 50 minutes and sealed their win in injury time, as Andrea Soncin fired home off the bar.

Milan, who have now suffered a second straight defeat and trail the leaders by 17 points, played the last 15 minutes with 10 men, when an injury sidelined Gennaro Gattuso after Carlo Ancelotti had already fielded three substitutes.

Ascoli started confidently at the Giuseppe Meazza, using the offside trap to frustrate Inter forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hernan Crespo.

Constant possession paid off for Inter on 40 minutes as captain Javier Zanetti easily flicked home an assist from Ibrahimovic.

An own goal by Mirko Cudini sealed Inter's win on 53 minutes as the defender stunned his keeper, botching a low cross from the just- fielded Luis Figo.

A chance for a consolation goal went begging as Julio Cesar deflected a spot kick taken by Michele Fini.

In Palermo, the Sicily hosts clinched their fourth straight win at home to Sampdoria.

Captain Eugenio Corini made it 1-0 on 35 minutes with a slightly deflected free kick, and Cristian Zaccardo secured the win on 70 minutes, finishing off a scramble in the area.

Samp defender Christian Terlizzi was dismissed with three minutes remaining.

"We played an evenly balanced first half, but we played better in the second half, and I think we deserved the win. We have the best attack (on 23 goals), but today we were clever also in defence," said Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin, who celebrated the 200th win in his career.

In other action, Livorno prevailed 1-0 over 10-man Udinese, who had international Antonio Di Natale sent off. Livorno now lie joint- fourth with Atalanta and Siena, held 2-2 Saturday with guests Parma.

Newcomers Torino drew 1-1 at home to Messina, and Chievo Verona drew 0-0 against Cagliari.

Two dismissals did not prevent Empoli from clinching a late 1-1 draw against visiting Lazio, who also had a man sent off, while promoted Catania won 1-0 Saturday over tail-enders Reggina.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency