Serie A wrap: Inter rout Genoa, Napoli´s title chances diminish

Inter Milan kept the pressure on city rivals AC Milan at the top of the table with a comfortable 5-2 victory over Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.

Leonardo’s men moved within five points of the league leaders, but were forced to come from behind after Rodrigo Palacio opened the scoring at the San Siro in the 40th minute.

The visitors led at the break, but the five-time reigning champions’ response was brutal.

Giampaolo Pazzini equalised in the 50th minute, and less than 60 seconds later Samuel Eto’o edged the hosts ahead.

Eto’o scored a second six minutes later, before Goran Pandev made it 4-1 in the 71st minute.

Substitute Yuto Nagamoto made it five 13 minutes later, before a late consolation goal from Mauro Boselli for Genoa.

Napoli’s title chances were deflated after being held to a 0-0 draw by lowly Brescia at the Stadio San Paolo, leaving them nine points from the leaders.

Antonio Di Natale’s late penalty helped Udinese overcome bottom club Bari 1-0 at the Stadio Communale Friuli.

Bologna and Cagliari traded late goals in their mid-table battle, which ended 2-2 at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu scored a brace in his side’s 3-0 demolition job of relegation-threatened Catania at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Ten-man Parma held on for their third consecutive league draw – away to Chievo – with a 0-0 result at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.

Cesena held off a late Sampdoria charge to win 3-2 and benefit their survival prospects, as victory at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris lifted the club out of the relegation zone.

More to follow