Genoa Hold Inter, Late Lazio Goal Sinks Roma

Inter Milan moved seven points clear at the top of Serie A on Wednesday despite drawing 1-1 at Genoa, after second-placed AS Roma lost 3-2 to Lazio in a thrilling city derby. A late Marco Borriello goal earned Genoa a point after Honduran striker David Suazo scored in the 12th minute for Inter, who had Portuguese midfielder Pele sent off for a second yellow just before halftime.

Roma were sunk by a stoppage-time winner from Lazio`s Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami. Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi also scored for Lazio with Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta on target for Roma. Third-placed Juventus have 55 points from 29 games, 13 fewer than Inter, after being held to a goalless draw at struggling Empoli.Fiorentina stay fourth and in control of Italy`s final Champions League qualification slot despite losing 2-0 at Napoli, for whom Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi hit adouble. Fifth-placed Milan remain four points behind the Florence side after losing 2-1 to Sampdoria at the San Siro.

Inter had looked comfortable after Suazo tucked away a sweet Zlatan Ibrahimovic cross until Pepe`s harsh red card.The home side then laid siege to Inter`s goal in the second half and were rewarded five minutes from time when Borriello scissor-kicked home the rebound from a Julio Cesar save to claim his 17th league goal of the season. Roma took the lead just after the half hour against lazio when a Behrami clearance ricocheted off Taddei`s chest and into the goal.Macedonia striker Pandev equalised for Lazio shortly before the break and Rocchi drilled home a penalty just before the hour after Rolando Bianchi was felled.

Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta then made it 2-2 and Roma had looked the more likelyside to score a winner before Behrami`s snatched it for Lazio.At the San Siro Christian Maggio fired in from short range and midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio wriggled past Alessandro Nesta and slipped the ball home to put Sampdoria 2-0 up at halftime.Andrea Pirlo hit the inside of the post with a free kick for Milan and Alberto Gilardino had a good shout for a penalty turned down after the break.

Alberto Paloschi headed in a cross from fellow 18-year-old Alexandre Pato to deservedly pull one back with 19 minutes left. Gennaro Gattuso came close to snatching a late equaliser, but sixth-placed Samp hung on to move within a point of the European champions in the standings despite having defender Stefano Lucchini sent off for a second yellow in the closing stages.