Surprise packages Napoli failed to
take advantage when Milan drew 0-0 with Lazio in midweek when they lost at
Chievo but red-hot striker Edinson Cavani helped make sure they did this time
in a 2-0 home victory over lowly Cesena.
The Uruguayan, Serie A's top scorer with 18 goals, converted
Christian Maggio's cross in the first half against second-bottom Cesena before
Jose Sosa netted in stoppage time.
Milan's Alexandre Pato, preferred to Antonio Cassano
upfront, latched on to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's pass to give the visitors a
29th-minute lead but Genoa forward Antonio Floro Flores struck home a loose
ball just before the break.
Milan's midfield was almost back to full strength after
injuries and suspension but the hosts defended stoutly and deserved their
point, with Rossoneri fans now fretting that a first scudetto since 2004 does
not look as clearcut as before.
"We knew it wouldn't be easy against Genoa," Milan
coach Massimiliano Allegri said, adding that Cassano was still not fully fit
after missing three months of action.
"We were unlucky with their equalizer and in the second
half we didn't play well, we gave away too many balls.
"We know the championship is long. Napoli don't have
any pressure, they are not obliged to win." Tensions were high at the
Marassi given the game was the first time since the death of a supporter 16
years ago in crowd trouble that Milan fans had been allowed to the encounter.
Scuffles between fans were reported but nothing major.
Third-placed Lazio missed the chance to pressure Milan
themselves with a 1-1 home draw with Chievo.
Hernanes put the Romans in front with a ferocious free kick
deep into first-half stoppage time but Cesar equalized.
Palermo lie just two points behind Lazio in fifth following
a thrilling 4-2 win at struggling Lecce.
Previously struggling on-loan Juventus forward Amauri
superbly netted his first Parma goal in a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina, who had
Adrian Mutu back for the first time since being banished for quitting training
last month.
Third-bottom Brescia won the relegation battle with basement
side Bari, Alessandro Diamanti netting a penalty and Andrea Caracciolo an
injury-time strike in a 2-0 victory, which puts eight points between the two
sides.
Bologna beat Catania 1-0 to send the Sicilians closer to the
drop zone with new coach Diego Simeone failing to stop a slide.
Juventus ended their bad run with a 3-1 victory at Cagliari
on Saturday when Alessandro Matri scored twice against his former club while
Udinese continued their ascent with a 2-0 win over toothless Sampdoria.
