Angry Inter respond in style

After being heavily criticised for recent performances, FC Internazionale Milano "turned their anger into something positive" to defeat AS Roma 1-0 on Wednesday to stay two points behind US Città di Palermo after the Serie A leaders won a titanic Sicilian derby.

Crespo winner
Hernán Crespo scored the only goal on the stroke of half-time at the Stadio Olimpico as Inter ended Roma's perfect start to the season. Zlatan Ibrahimović also missed a penalty for the Nerazzurri, who had Patrick Vieira sent off late on. With coach Roberto Mancini having lost his voice, assistant Sinisa Mihajlović said of the victory: "All this criticism - most of it unjust in my opinion - made us angry. We have shown again we have a great group of players. One-nil is a misleading result because we created at least seven or eight good chances and missed a penalty, while they barely had a shot."

Goals galore
There were certainly shots aplenty at the Stadio Renzo Barbera as Palermo came from behind to trounce visiting Calcio Catania 5-3 and make it three wins out of three. "It is a fantastic win and we are absolutely delighted with a splendid display," said coach Francesco Guidolin. Another Sicilian club, FC Messina Peloro, are in second place on seven points after a goal in each half from Christian Rigano secured a 2-0 home success against Reggina Calcio.

Straight wins
Czech international Marek Jankulovski's 68th-minute header from a superb floated pass by Andrea Pirlo earned AC Milan their third straight victory, 1-0 against Ascoli Calcio 1898 at the San Siro. Milan have now wiped out the eight-point penalty imposed on them by a sports tribunal and have one point.

Outstanding comeback
UC Sampdoria produced an outstanding comeback from three goals down to draw 3-3 at home to Udinese Calcio while ACF Fiorentina picked up their first win of the season, an early Adrian Mutu strike edging the Viola past visitors Parma FC. Massimo Oddo scored the only goal as S.S. Lazio defeated AC Chievo Verona, AC Siena triumphed 2-1 at Torino FC and Atalanta BC's game with Empoli FC finished 0-0.