Mourinho's Inter grind out another victory

Internazionale ended up six points clear at the top of Serie A last night after the Italian champions beat Napoli 2-1 and city rivals Milan were humbled 3-1 at mid-table Palermo.

Striker Fabrizio Miccoli fired in a superb goal on 50 minutes before Edinson Cavani and Simplicio sealed Palermo's victory with Ronaldinho, who had a spotkick saved at 0-0, netting a late penalty for the shell-shocked visitors.

Earlier in the day, Inter went 2-0 up through Ivan Cordoba and Sulley Muntari but were forced to hang on after Ezequiel Lavezzi pulled one back on 36 minutes. Inter have 33 points from 14 games with Milan on 27 alongside Juventus, who hammered lowly Reggina 4-0 in a snowy Turin on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho's side, who beat Juventus last Saturday thanks to another Muntari goal, lost 1-0 at home to Panathinaikos in the Champions League in midweek but continue to grind out results in Serie A despite their inconsistency. "I am very satisfied with my players," Mourinho said, but he was less impressed with the San Siro fans. "When we're in difficulty it seems like we are playing away. I think a team like this deserves more convincing support."

Cordoba settled Inter's nerves with an expert finish following Muntari's cross after 16 minutes. Inter made it two when Muntari turned in a Maicon pass after Julio Cruz's backheel. The visitors refused to lie down, however, and were soon back in the hunt when talisman Lavezzi dinked home.

Roma recorded a third straight league win after Francesco Totti netted in the second half to seal a 1-0 victory over Fiorentina. Adrian Mutu went close with a free-kick and a header for the visitors, but they remain joint fifth with Lazio, who went down 2-0 in soggy Bergamo against midtable Atalanta.

Early season pacesetters Udinese, who had top striker Antonio Di Natale sent off, are ninth after losing their fourth league game in a row when a late Felipe own goal gave bottom side Chievo a 1-0 away win.

In France, Marseilles were held to a goalless draw at unsung Toulouse but still moved into second place in Ligue 1, six points adrift of leaders Lyons, who who were also held to a goalless draw in driving rain by Valenciennes.