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Chiellini keeps up winning return for Juventus

Gordon Tynan
Monday 03 September 2007 00:00 BST
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Giorgio Chiellini's last-minute header gave Juventus an extraordinary 3-2 victory at Cagliari in their second game back in Serie A. Jonathan Zebina and Cagliari's Cristiano Del Grosso were sent off as the home side equalised twice with debatable penalties before Chiellini headed home Mauro Camoranesi's free-kick.

Alberto Aquilani, Ludovic Giuly and Francesco Totti scored in Roma's 3-0 win over Siena, while promoted Napoli won 5-0 at Udinese. Palermo won 4-2 at Livorno, who were battered 5-1 by Juve last weekend.

Juve failed to carry that form into the first half at Cagliari with the home side threatening more. However, the second half was packed with incident after David Trezeguet gave Juventus a fortunate lead when the ball ricocheted off Camoranesi and ran into his path.

Cagliari were almost immediately awarded a penalty when Nicola Legrottaglie was adjudged to have held back Alessandro Matri, Pasquale Foggia scoring. The referee then gave the Sardinians another penalty, but after furious Juve protests the linesman indicated that Chiellini's tackle had been clean and the penalty was annulled.

Alessandro Del Piero put Juve ahead again when he tapped in a Camoranesi cross which may have crossed the line anyway.

Foggia equalised with another penalty 10 minutes from time when Zebina was penalised. The French defender talked himself into a red card, but Del Grosso made it 10 against 10 when he was dismissed for a second booking. Juve then settled a thrilling game to top the table, alongside Roma, with two wins from two games.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice on Saturday as Internazionale beat Empoli 2-0 for their first win of the season. Ibrahimovic scored first in the 14th minute, when he flicked in Maicon's cross. A diagonal shot from Rodriguez Cesar's pass seven minutes from time wrapped up the points.

"I'm pretty happy with the performance," the Inter coach, Roberto Mancini, said. "We dropped off a bit in the second but I'm pleased overall."

The Brazil striker Adriano, who was linked with West Ham last week, was not included in Inter's squad and could also be excluded from the 25-man party for the Champions League. "When we hand in the list, you will see what has been decided," Mancini said.

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