Inter overcome Reggina and go nine points clear

Internazionale, Liverpool's Champions League opponents tomorrow, restored their nine-point advantage over Roma at the top of Serie A on Saturday thanks to an unconvincing win over Reggina.

A Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty in the 14th minute and a Nicolas Burdisso header 20 minutes later earned Roberto Mancini's side the points. They were outplayed for much of the game, however, and goalkeeper Julio Cesar was the man of the match.

Yesterday Fiorentina, who hold a 2-0 advantage over Everton in the Uefa Cup, lost 1-0 at Siena. The former Middlesbrough player Massimo Maccarone smashed in a free-kick 10 minutes from time but was sent off after receiving a second booking for his over-exuberant celebrations.

In Germany, Rangers' opponents Werder Bremen conceded defeat in the title race after their 6-3 defeat at VfB Stuttgart left them seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

"When you concede six you don't have the right to talk about the title," said their manager, Klaus Allofs.

In the Netherlands, Spurs' Uefa Cup opponents PSV Eindhoven had their top-of-the-table game against Ajax postponed owing to industrial action by the police.