Inter Milan missed the chance to move within two points of league leaders Juventus after being held 2-2 by Cagliari but it was a better day for Fiorentina, Catania, Bologna and Siena, who all won at home.
Rodrigo Palacio gave Inter the perfect start at San Siro before two goals from Marco Sau looked to put the visitors on course for a third away win this season. However, a Davide Astori own goal eight minutes from time ensured that the spoils were shared.
Fiorentina fared much better on home soil against Atalanta, who had Luca Cigarini sent off in first-half stoppage time. Two goals at the end of the opening period from Alberto Aquilani contributed to a 4-1 win which moved Vincenzo Montella’s side third, a point behind Inter and five behind leaders Juventus.
Elsewhere, Bologna scored two penalties in their 3-0 home win against Palermo, who finished the game with eight men. Sergio Almirón grabbed his first goals of the campaign to help Catania beat Chievo Verona 2-1, while Siena moved off the foot of the table with their third home win of the season against fellow strugglers Pescara, who missed a penalty and had two men sent off late on.
Shortly after his side’s eighth defeat of the season, Pescara coach Giovanni Stroppa resigned, leaving the club 17th with 11 points from 13 games and the second worst defence in Serie A.
Also on Sunday, Raffaele Palladino’s 89th-minute strike earned Parma a 2-2 stalemate at Udinese, and Sampdoria moved away from danger by downing derby rivals Genoa 3-1.