ROME, 27 October 2006 — Joint leaders Inter Milan and Palermo both recorded home victories on Wednesday to stretch their lead at the top of Serie A to four points.
Inter scored twice in the first 13 minutes on their way to a 4-1 thrashing of Livorno, while David Di Michele’s 41st-minute penalty sealed a 2-1 win for Palermo against Sicilian rivals Messina.
An own goal by Marc Pfertzel followed by a Marco Materazzi header gave Inter a solid start at the San Siro before Livorno captain Cristiano Lucarelli pulled one back for the visitors in the 70th minute.
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first league goal of the season restored the hosts’ two-goal cushion a minute later and Julio Cruz completed the demolition to ensure Inter go into Saturday’s Milan derby on a high.
Inter and Palermo are tied on 18 points from their eight matches played, four ahead of Roma who were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Ascoli.
Udinese and Atalanta follow on 13 points after they were both held. Udinese drew 1-1 at Empoli and comeback kings Atalanta — who won 3-2 against Sampdoria on Sunday after being 2-0 down — fought back from 3-1 down to salvage a 3-3 draw against winless Cagliari.
Siena were denied from going level on points with Roma by Giorgio Corona’s late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Catania. AC Milan, Fiorentina and Reggina, who were all docked points for match-fixing, claimed wins.
Marek Jankulovski’s left-footed drive gave AC Milan a 1-0 victory at Chievo, while Reggina defeated Parma 3-2. A first half goal from Martin Jorgensen gave Fiorentina all three points at Torino.
Lazio crashed 2-0 at Sampdoria.
