Serie A wrap: Milan go four points clear
11 March 2012 23:59
AC Milan moved four points clear at the top of Serie A on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Lecce, while Juventus were held at Genoa.
Antonio Nocerino's deflected effort put hosts Milan ahead inside seven minutes at the San Siro after a neat flick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Swede Ibrahimovic then turned goal scorer after half-time with his fierce volley from Robinho's knock down giving Massimo Benassi no chance in the Lecce goal.
The margin flattered Lecce in the end and could have been far greater, with Sulley Muntari's deflected strike and attempted chips from Robinho and Ibrahimovic among Milan's missed chances.
Juventus' goalless draw at Genoa was a baffling result given the visitors hit the bar three times.
After five draws in six games Antonio Conte's injury-hit side have lost ground with the leaders and would not have been comforted by yet another frustrating result.
Simone Pepe, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio all had efforts hit the frame, but despite pouring forward in the dying stages of the match, Juventus could not find the breakthrough.
Elsewhere, Francesco Lodi scored from the penalty spot shortly before the hour mark to lift Catania to a 1-0 win over Fiorentina at Stadio Angelo Massimino.
Gabriel Paletta's goal for Parma cancelled out Tomas Manfredini's fourth-minute opener in a 1-1 draw with Atalanta.
A controversial Luca Ceccarelli red card proved the turning point as relegation-threatened Cesena conceded two late goals in a 2-0 loss to Siena.
Ceccarelli slid in on Siena's Emanuele Calaio in the box, drawing a penalty and a red card.
Claudio Terzi's penalty was pushed on to the upright but Franco Brienza tapped in the rebound, seemingly from an offside position.
Erjon Bogdani sealed the three points, scoring against his former side with a volley from Brienza's delightful pass.
Later, Bologna surprised third-placed Lazio with a 3-1 win away from home.
Daniele Portanova, Alessandro Diamantia and Rene Krhin were all on target for the visitors at the Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio were down to nine men as early as the 57th minute after Francesco Matuzalem and Alvaro Gonzalez both saw red.
Finally, promoted side Novara, second from bottom on the table, scored an upset 1-0 win at home to fifth-placed Udinese.
