Inter Milan moved into the Serie A summit after thrashing Livorno 4-1 at home, while Palermo continued the chase with a 2-1 win over Messina on Wednesday. At the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, An early own goal by Marc Pfertzel Inter in front before Marco Materazzi doubled the lead shortly after. Cristiano Lucarelli pulled one back for Livorno ten minutes past the hour mark but Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic added the third just one minute later. In-form Julio Cruz ensured the victory in the 78th minute. The result put Inter on top of the league table with 18 points, while Livorno lie seventh on 12 points. The Nerazzurri were ahead as early as the second minute when Alvaro Recoba crossed from the right-flank only for Pfertzel to volley the ball into his own net instead of clearing it. Italian international defender Materazzi stretched the lead in the 13th minute when he connected with Recoba's free kick at the far post to head the ball home. Unmarked Lucarelli narrowed the gap in the 70th minute after he received Cesar Prates' inch-perfect cross with a close-range header into the back of the net.
Palermo Ibrahimovic killed off Livorno's hopes just one minute later as he latched-on to Dejan Stankovic's through pass before drilling the ball home past Marco Amelia. Argentinean striker Cruz sealed the victory in the 78th minute when he nodded in Luis Figo's corner. Elsewhere, Palermo maintained their impressive run with a 2-1 home victory over Messina. Christian Zaccardo's goal for Palermo in the 24th minute cancelled out Christian Rigano's opener early in the sixth minute. David Di Michele secured the win for Palermo four minutes before the break. The victory placed Palermo in second spot with 18 points, adrift of leaders Inter on goal difference. In other match, Marek Jankulovski scored in the 30th minute to help AC Milan register a 1-0 away win over Chievo Verona.
