Maicon at the Double as Inter beat Siena; Lazio edge out Palermo

Siena 1 - Inter Milan 2 (Serie A, December 20, 2008) Inter moved ahead when Maicon ran across the near post from a corner to steer home the opener. But Siena hit back when Houssine Kharja connected with a Del Grosso cross.

And that is the way it stayed until seven minutes from time, when Maicon scored the crucial second to give the Nerazzurri all three points, the Brazilian collected the ball (offside?) and lifted a shot over the onrushing Gianluca Curci. Inter move nine points clear of Juventus at the top.

Lazio 1 - Palermo 0 (Serie A, December 20, 2008) Lazio picked up their first win in five games against ten-man Palermo thanks to Tommaso Rocchi’s second half strike.

Rimini 1 - Albinoleffe 1 (Serie B, December 20, 2008) Albinoleffe opened the scoring, Madonna pounced on a defensive error and beat the goalkeeper with a half-volley. Less than a minute later Vantaggiato placed his left-foot angled drive into the corner to secure a point apiece.

Modena 0 - Bari 2 (Serie B, December 20, 2008) Barreto converted a penalty and then set up Caputo’s strike late on, but in between the two Bolano was dismissed.

Empoli 1 - Mantova 1 (Serie B, December 20, 2008) Vannucchi put Empoli under pressure when he saw red in the first half and moments later Corona gave Mantova the lead. Sub Saudati equalised for the hosts, rising above the crowd to nod in the equaliser 11 minutes from time.

Piacenza 1 - Pisa 0 (Serie B, December 20, 2008) Guzman netted the winner with a perfect free-kick.

Salernitana 1 - Ascoli 2 (Serie B, December 20, 2008) Soncin converted am early penalty and Cani made it 2-nil soon after with a precise header. Gerardi scored a consolation.

Livorno 3 - Sassuolo 2 (Serie B, December 20, 2008)