Lazio completed a double over city rivals Roma, thanks to a 2-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico. The game was marred by some awful refereeing decisions and the racial abuse directed at Roma defender Juan by some sections of the Lazio fans. Juventus were held at home by Chievo on Saturday night. AC Milan hit four away at Palermo which included a brilliant hat-trick by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Also, Inter on Sunday night came back from 2-0 down at home to Catania to draw 2-2 as Claudio Ranieri showed everyone he has major skills as a poker player.

Saturday 3rd March

AC Milan traveled to Palermo on Saturday evening and produced a brilliant performance winning 4-0. Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit a thirteen minute hat-trick which included a goal of the week contender for his hat-trick, a twenty five yard curled effort into the top corner. Thiago Silva added a fourth in the second half with a bullet header.

The second game of the day saw Juventus entertaining the Flying donkeys. The Old Lady took the lead early in the first half when an Andrea Pirlo free kick was headed on to the post by Giorgio Chiellini and the rebound was nodded home by Paolo De Ceglie. But Chievo hit back with fifteen minutes remaining when Boukary Drame angled a drive from the left wing hat was deflected by Leonardo Bonucci on it’s way into the net.

Sunday 4th March

The early kick off saw Napoli away travel to Parma. Five minutes before half time the visitors were awarded a spot kick after Edinson Cavani was fouled in the area. Edinson Cavani stepped up and had his spot kick saved by Antonio Mirante but Cavani pounced to score from the rebound. With thirteen minutes remaining Parma equalised thanks to Cristian Zaccardo who scored from close range. But, four minutes remaining Napoli went ahead again in what proved to be the winner when Ezequiel Lavezzi capitalised on a Edinson Cavani through ball to slide the ball past Mirante to give the Partnopei the win.

Lecce and Genoa played out an entertaining 2-2 draw; the Ligurians took the lead midway through the first half thanks to Giuseppe Sculli who bundled the ball home from close range the ball looked like it didn’t cross the line as it was cleared away. Lucas Muriel equalised for the home side as he got the end of a through ball and finished brilliantly into the top corner. Davide Brivio then gave Lecce the lead with a brilliant free kick from at least thirty yards out that whistled into the top corner. But with five minutes remaining Sculli equalised as a corner from the right the striker headed home but it came off his shoulder and it deceived the Lecce keeper that was a cruel goal to concede.

Fiorentina picked up a crucial win over Cesena thanks to two goals in the last half hour of the game. The first goal of the game came just after the hour and it was a cracking own goal, a cross in from the left was brilliantly headed home into his own net by Vangelis Moras which left his keeper flat footed. The second goal came just ten minutes later and it came after a deep corner was headed to Matjia Nastasic who chested and volleyed home.

Siena picked up a highly impressive home win by beating Cagliari 3-0, Erjon Bogdani was there to tap home after Cagliari keeper Agazzi denied Luigi Giorgi. The second goal didn’t come until ten minutes from time thanks to a brilliant half volley from Emanuele Calaio wow what a strike. A third was added just minutes later when a ball over the top found Cristian Del Grosso who hit an angle drive which was deflected in by Michael Agazzi.

Udinese dropped points at home to Atalanta who had their keeper to thank for keeping them in the game. Antonio Di Natale thought he won it for Udinese with a brilliant volley but he was denied by Andrea Consigli.

The Rome derby didn’t disappoint, Lazio took the lead after seven minutes after Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was sent off for bringing down Miroslav Klose. A penalty was awarded and Erik Lamela was substituted for Bogdan Lobont, Hernanes dispatched the spot kick by sending Lobont the wrong way. Roma equalised ten minutes later after Juan hit the bar from close range on the angle, the rebound fell to Fabio Borini who prodded the ball home just before the Lazio defence cleared off the line. But just past the hour Lazio restored the lead as a set piece by Cristian Ledesma found Stefano Mauri at the back post who slid home the winner. It was ten vs ten with just minutes remaining when Lionel Scaloni was sent off for two yellows. An action packed Rome derby

Bologna beat fellow strugglers Novara 1-0 but it was left late for the winner. Marco Di Vaio missed a first half penalty after Alessandro Diamanti was brought down. Novara keeper Ujkani pulled off a brilliant penalty save by tipping Marco Di Vaio penalty away for a corner. Bologna wasted chance after chance but got the winner they deserved with eight minutes remaining when Diego Perez broke from the midfield and his effort was brilliant parried on to the post, the rebound fell to Marco Di Vaio had his effort deflected onto the post and Robert Acquafresca was there at the third opportunity to net home from close range.

The final game of the weekend was Catania trip to crisis club Inter, Catania took the lead after twenty minutes when Alejandro Gomez cut in from the left and sold Yuto Nagatomo and drilled home past Julio Cesar. It was 2-0 before half time as Marchese broke down the left and crossed in for Mariano Izco to tap home of both feet, Marchese was marginally offside. But the Inter fightback started with twenty minutes remaining as Diego Forlan scored for the first time since the opening day of the season as his angle drive was poorly parried into the net by the Catania keeper Juan Pablo Carizzo. Ten minutes later the equaliser was scored and it was Diego Forlan who played in Diego Milito who hit a brilliant angle drilled effort into the top corner. These two goals may have saved Claudio Ranieri his job for now.