Inter Milan had their lead at the top of Seria A cut to seven points after their second successive draw, this time at the hands of Napoli.

Jose Mourinho’s men started the weekend nine points clear but were held 0-0 in Naples, a result which moves the home side back into fourth spot which they temporarily vacated to Sampdoria, who beat Fiorentina 2-0 on Saturday night with goals from Franco Semioli and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Also on Saturday night, second-placed Roma demolished Palermo 4-1 at home, with a Matteo Brighi brace, a Julio Baptista strike and a John Arne Riise goal helping them to three points.

Fabrizio Micolli garbbed a consolation for Palermo and the three points took the Romans to within six points of the Champions, before their draw increased the gap to seven.

On Sunday, Juventus climbed back into contention for a UEFA Champions League spot after beating Genoa while Lazio enhanced their chances of Seria A survival.

With Roma and Sampdoria having won on Saturday night, the pressure was on Alberto Zaccheroni’s men not to fall further behind the leading pack.

And they duly obliged, coming out on top of a fiery encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin in a 3-2 win over Genoa. Marco Rossi gave the away side a 16th minute lead before Brazilian striker Amauri levelled for the Old Lady just before half time.

Veteran forward Alessandro Del Piero put the home side in front just after the hour mark after he was teed up by Diego. The lead was short lived, however, as Rossi grabbed his second of the game to even up the game once more.

Captain Del Piero continued his influential performance as he won and converted a penalty twelve minutes from time to give Juventus a much needed win.

At the bottom, meanwhile, Lazio eased their relegation worries with a well-earned 2-0 win over ten man Parma at Ennio Tardini.

Guglielmo Stendardo finally broke the deadlock on 68 minutes and the home side had Luis Jimenez dismissed five minutes later for a deliberate handball.

Lazio entered cruise control with the extra man and former Birmingham forward Mauro Zarate grabbed his 8th of the season in stoppage time to round off the win.

Elsewhere, Cagliari continued their impressive league form with a 3-1 home win over Bari, taking them up one position to 8th place.
The hosts were cruising by the break through goals from Daniele Conti and Brazilian forward Nene, but Salvatore Masiello pulled a goal back for the visitors on 52 minutes.

The two goal lead was restored just a minute later, though, as Andrea Cossu took full advantage of Bari ‘s vulnerability having just got themselves back into the game.

Basement club Siena grabbed a surprise 1-0 win away to Chievo to give their faint survival hopes a much needed boost with three points. Brazilian striker Reginaldo scored only his second of the season on 73 minutes which was enough to settle the contest.

Meanwhile, Livorno’s survival hopes took a turn for the worst as they lost 1-0 at home to Bologna, dropping them into the relegation zone in place of Lazio.

Veteran striker Marco Di Vaio, 33, grabbed his ninth goal of the season on 22 minutes, sealing the win which was enough to maintain their 14th position in the table.

Elsewhere, Gianpaolo Bellini saw red for two bookable offenses in a 0-0 stalemate between Catania and Atalanta at the Stadio Angelo Massimino
The defender was dismissed with 73 minutes on the clock, but the hosts were unable to break down the sturdy ten men in the closing stages, with Atalanta worthy of their point.