A combination of a win from Juventus and a slip up by Fiorentina away from home means that Group A’s winter champions, the Bianconeri, have stretched their lead at the top to four points.
They bested Pro Vercelli on the road thanks to midfielder Matteo Gerbaudo’s strike while the Viola fell to a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Parma who have risen to 12th as a result.
The Tuscans were leading with 10 minutes remaining before Daniele Abbracciante and one to watch Riccardo Cocuzza stunned them with late goals.
As a result of which, Genoa moved level on points with them on 28 after they beat Grosetto 3-1 at home after the visitors never fully recovered from the Grifoni bagging two goals in the opening 14 minutes.
Livorno moved clear of Grosetto at the bottom of the table after they picked up a shocking 3-1 win on the road against Cagliari with the in-form Tomasso Biasci bagging a brace.
Empoli thrashed Siena 3-0 to keep in touch in mid-table and it was that man Diego Frugoli again who starred for the Azzurri, scoring twice in this Tuscan derby.
Spezia fell to a 1-0 defeat at home against Novara while Torino’s clash with Sampdoria was postponed.
In Group B, Atalanta further extended their lead at the top by beating Inter 2-0 thanks to goals from Antonio Palma and Davide Cais but it was second-placed Chievo who hit all the headlines.
They destroyed 11th placed Modena 7-1 in Verona with a clinical performance with six different players getting on the scoresheet, highlighting the real strength in depth that the Flying Donkeys have at their disposal this season.
Udinese bested Padua 3-2 in a thriller in the north east to give themselves a bit of breathing space at the bottom as Davide Marsura scored twice, including the winner with five minutes to go, to help get the Zebrette out of their funk.
Cittadella were sublime in attack during their win away from home against Sassuolo, Antonio Baggio scored twice to help them on their way.
Bologna missed the chance to close the gap on Inter and AC Milan though as they could only manage a 1-1 draw on the road against Brescia, Harouna Bara scoring late for the hosts much to the Rossoblu’s disappointment.
Varese and Hellas Verona could only manage a goalless stalemate in their encounter while AC Milan’s meeting with Cesena has been postponed until early February.
By far the most exciting of the three divisions, Group C continues to hot up ever more at the top in what really is anyone’s title to win.
First played fifth when table-topping Napoli met Roma who were only four points behind them and it stayed that way after a tight 0-0 draw, showcasing the real competitiveness of the league.
Lazio took advantage of the Partenopei’s slip up though and moved to within a point of them at the top of the table after beating Pescara 3-0 away thanks to goals from Keita Balde Diao and two goals from Antonio Rozzi.
Sicilian rivals Catania and Palermo also moved into the third and fourth spots respectively as the islanders aim to bring an end to mainland dominance.
The Elefantini beat Juve Stabia 4-2 away after twice going behind while Palermo also triumphed by that scoreline, beating Vicenza 4-2 at home though their result did not hit the headlines as much as their heartwarming display of sportsmanship did.
Things are just as close as at the foot of the table as they are at the top with both Ternana and Virtus Lanciano looking unlikely to pick up points each week and both sit well behind third-bottom Pescara.
Bottom club Ternana were thrased 6-1 by Ascoli, the Bianconeri’s stars on the day being Gianluca Giovannini and Daniele Gragnoli who each scored twice.
Lanciano were unlucky to be beaten 1-0 away by Crotone and perhaps could have got something out of the game while Reggina triumphed 3-1 over Bari thanks to three second half strikes.
