ROME: Inter Milan continued their inexorable march toward a fifth straight Italian Serie A title with a 2-0 victory away to lowly Livorno on Sunday.
There may only be 11 games gone in the championship but Inter have already opened up a seven-point lead over second-placed Juventus after the Turin giants were beaten 3-2 at home to Napoli on Saturday.
Sampdoria also failed to keep pace with Inter as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to newly promoted Bari on Sunday, leaving them third on goal difference behind Juve.
Inter were far from their sparkling best against a team who had won their previous two matches under new boss Serse Cosmi, but they always looked capable of doing enough to win.
Livorno, who lost on-loan Inter center-back Nelson Rivas to injury in the warm-up, had the best chance of the opening period as Antonio Candreva brought a fine save out of Julio Cesar from a free kick.
Coach Jose Mourinho gave rare starts to young Slovenian midfielder Rene Krhin and Brazilian misfit Mancini whilst leaving the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Walter Samuel and Esteban Cambiasso on the bench, although all three came on as substitutes.
Man City held
In London, Manchester City’s Premier League challenge continued along its spluttering, unconvincing path when they were held to a goalless draw at Birmingham City on Sunday, their fourth successive league draw.
Big-spending City remain a disjointed side and draws against Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Fulham and struggling Birmingham, who missed a penalty and were the more dangerous side throughout, showed how much work manager Mark Hughes still has to do.
City’s point moved them up to fourth place on 19, eight behind leaders Chelsea, who hammered Bolton Wanderers 4-0 on Saturday.
Champions Manchester United are second on 25 after beating Blackburn Rovers 2-0, with Arsenal third on 22 following their 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur who are fifth on 19.
