AC Milan went top of Serie A for the first time in four years after a late own-goal by Argentine forward German Denis gave them a 1-0 victory against 10-man Napoli at the San Siro on Sunday.
Udinese are a point behind in second after fighting back for a 2-2 draw at home to Genoa while Inter, who beat Reggina 3-2 on Saturday, are third with Napoli dropping to fourth.
The defeat was harsh on visitors Napoli who had Cristian Maggio dismissed and deserved more for a performance full of heart and belief.
But Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf said it was good to finally be back on top for the first time since May 2004, when Milan last won the scudetto.
“It’s been a bit too long since we were top, we’ve been under pressure for a long time but now we’re top,” he said.
Napoli’s hopes suffered a massive blow just before the break, though, when Maggio was sent off for a second booking.
It meant the visitors would have to play the entire second period a man down and coach Edy Reja sacrificed attacking Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik in favor of defender Salvatore Aronica.
As expected Milan dominated play after the break and Marco Borriello twice came close in quick succession before Kaka shuddered the post with a rasping shot on 72 minutes.
And moments later substitute Pato missed a header from four yards out after he was left completely unmarked at a free-kick.
The hosts were piling on the pressure and a deflected shot from Kaka just missed the far post.
Six minutes from time the referee made a shocking decision awarding a penalty to Milan for a handball against Michele Pazienza that was both outside the area and totally involuntary from a ball fired at him from close range.
Justice was done as Gennaro Iezzo brilliantly saved Kaka’s penalty but only a minute later Denis flicked a Ronaldinho free-kick past Iezzo to break Neapolitan hearts.
In Udine, the hosts got off to a great start after just four minutes as Gaetano D’Agostino scored from the spot.
Genoa were level on 64 minutes as Diego Milito scored from the spot after a soft penalty given against Aleksander Lukovic when he tangled with Anthony Vanden Borre. Three minutes later a classy finish by substitute Giuseppe Sculli put the visitors in front.
But Italy striker Fabio Quagliarella restored parity by flicking home a cross from Simone Pepe.
In other games Fiorentina failed to move into the top three as they lost 1-0 at Siena.
Lazio are just two points off top in fourth now after they beat Catania 1-0 at home courtesy of a Pasquale Foggia strike five minutes from time.
Cagliari continued their resurgence as they came back from a goal down to beat Bologna 5-1 at home.
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