Cavani shines for Napoli, Balotelli boosts Milan

SSC Napoli brought Juventus' lead at the Serie A summit back down to single figures as Edinson Cavani struck twice in a 3-2 win against Atalanta BC, while Mario Balotelli also registered a double as AC Milan saw off US Città di Palermo 2-0.

Juve downed Bologna FC 2-0 on Saturday to maintain control at the summit, but Napoli made sure to keep the gap to nine points with a hard-fought home success. Cavani helped himself to his first league goals in seven outings, following up an early penalty with a smart low finish on the turn, yet a Paolo Cannavaro own goal and a Germán Denis strike restored parity on both occasions. Goran Pandev's 81st-minute effort ultimately settled the game.

Balotelli, meanwhile, produced a near-carbon copy of Cavani's display for third-placed Milan. The Italy striker converted an eighth-minute spot-kick and knocked in a deflected M'Baye Niang cross on 66 minutes to keep the Rossoneri in touch at the top.

Elsewhere, Francesco Totti became the second highest Serie A goalscorer of all time on 226 goals as AS Roma triumphed 2-0 against Parma FC. The Giallorossi moved level on 47 points with FC Internazionale Milano – whose meeting with UC Sampdoria was postponed due to bad weather – and S.S. Lazio, who lost Michaël Ciani to a red card in a 1-0 reverse at Torino FC.

Pescara Calcio succumbed to a pair of late strikes to lose 2-0 at home against AC Chievo Verona, while a Mattia Cassani own goal decided an exciting match in Florence, where ACF Fiorentina beat ten-man Genoa CFC 3-2. Lastly, the meeting between AC Siena and Cagliari Calcio finished goalless.