Inter surge on, Juve take derby spoils

Juventus failed to make inroads at the Serie A summit despite a late derby triumph away to Torino FC as FC Internazionale Milano maintained their seven-point lead with an impressive 2-0 victory at in-form Genoa CFC.

Home record
Fifth-placed Genoa had only tasted defeat once in their previous 14 league encounters – and none at home in Serie A this term – but they suffered the worst possibly start when Zlatan Ibrahimović scored his 15th goal of the campaign on two minutes, chipping over Rubinho after being released by Dejan Stanković. Inter, who travel to Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round on Wednesday, had Júlio César to thank for preserving their lead as the goalkeeper made an impressive save to keep out Thiago Motta's header. That proved telling as Mario Balotelli controlled a pass from Ibrahimović and put the result beyond doubt on 61 minutes.

Chiellini winner
Juventus, who host Chelsea FC on Tuesday, needed to keep the leaders within range in the late game and did so thanks to Giorgio Chiellini's decisive effort with ten minutes left. Sixth-placed AS Roma had also been in good form ahead of their UEFA Champions League visit from Arsenal FC with just one defeat from ten league matches prior to the visit of Udinese Calcio, but they were thankful to a Mirko Vučinić equaliser four minutes after coming off the substitutes' bench to earn a 1-1 draw. The 61st-minute strike cancelled out Felipe's far-post header earlier in the second half while the Giallorossi played the final quarter of the match with ten men following Daniele De Rossi's dismissal.