MILAN, 16 October 2006 — A brace from Dejan Stankovic gave Inter Milan a 2-1 win over tough newcomers Catania yesterday and allowed the title holders to climb to the top of the Italian Serie A.
Inter lead on 14 points from six games, moving past Roma and Palermo. Roma lost 1-0 at Reggina and trail by two points along with Palermo, who were upset 3-2 at home by promoted Atalanta.
The fans at Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza stadium suffered at first as they watched their side fall behind against the brisk opponents from Sicily.
Catania forward Giuseppe Mascara stunned the title holders in the 16th minute when he surprise Julio Cesar, who appeared blinded by the sun, with a curling long-distance lob.
No telling reaction came from Inter strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano, but Stankovic finally found the net on 28 minutes, heading downward a cross from Luis Figo.
Sicily side Palermo twice managed to equalize but eventually lost 3-2 against Atalanta, now lying comfortably on to nine points thanks to goals from Cristiano Doni, Claudio Rivalta and a final long-range shot from Fernando Tissone.
Udinese won 3-0 at lowly Parma to have 11 points along with Livorno, winners by 2-0 at hosting Ascoli, and Siena, who Saturday prevailed 3-1 over Messina. Penalized Fiorentina lie at the bottom on minus 10 points after winning 2-1 a Tuscany derby with Empoli, while promoted Torino clinched their first win, edging Chievo Verona 1-0.
Barca Break Clear After
3-1 Win Over Sevilla
In Madrid, Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of the Primera Liga yesterday after a Ronaldinho double and virtuoso solo goal from Lionel Messi earned a 3-1 home win against high-flying Sevilla.
Ronaldinho had come in for criticism for failing to pull his weight so far this season, but the twice World Player of the Year sparked into life with a coolly taken penalty and a classy free kick to put his side 2-1 up at the end of the first half. Valencia slipped to their first defeat of the season when they lost 3-2 at Celta Vigo, while Atletico snatched a 2-1 victory at home to Recreativo Huelva on Saturday when striker Sergio Aguero helped the ball into the net with his hand.
At the other end of the table, Athletic Bilbao and Racing Santander notched up their first victories of the season. Bilbao edged a 3-2 win at Gimnastic Tarragona, while Racing clinched a 1-0 victory at Osasuna. Real Sociedad are the only team who have yet to win a game after surrendering an early lead to lose 3-1 at home to Real Zaragoza.
Le Mans Held 0-0 by
Ten-Man Nancy
In Paris, Le Mans were held to a goalless draw by ten-man Nancy in an ill-tempered Ligue 1 match yesterday. Le Mans were unable to break down the league’s second best defense despite Nancy having midfielder Pascal Berenguer sent off on 54 minutes for elbowing Gregory Cerdan.
Diouf Double Gives Bolton
2-1 Win at Newcastle
In London, striker El-Hadji Diouf scored twice in two minutes as Bolton Wanderers came from behind to win 2-1 away to Newcastle United in the Premier League yesterday.
Bolton climbed to third in the standings on 17 points from eight games, two points behind leaders Manchester United and champions Chelsea, who both won away on Saturday.
Newcastle, 15th with seven points, went ahead in the 18th minute with a penalty by striker Shola Ameobi, awarded for handball against defender Abdoulaye Faye.
