Napoli rout Pescara to pressure Juventus

Rome, Dec 3 (IANS): Napoli thrashed Pescara 5-1 to keep up their pursuit of Juventus at the top of the Italian football league Serie A.

Gokhan Inler and Edinson Cavani both scored twice with Marek Hamsik also on target as Walter Mazzarri’s side tore Pescara to shreds Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Birkir Bjarnason had given the visitors hope when he reduced the arrears in the first half but a red card to Antonio Bocchetti capped a day to forget for Cristiano Bergodi’s men in Naples.

Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri still could not be satisfied with Napoli’s victory and admitted he “got very angry at half-time”.

The Partenopei surged into a 2-0 lead, then felt the pressure as the Delfini pulled one back.

“I got very angry at half-time,” confessed Mazzarri.

“We scored two goals and then seemed to rest on our laurels. We ran a big risk and I cannot see these dips in concentration. At least the experience will help us to grow.”

Gian Piero Gasperini was denied any joy on his return to Inter Milan as Santiago Garcia’s own goal gifted the Nerazzurri a 1-0 victory over Palermo.

Gasperini was unceremoniously sacked as Inter boss having overseen just five games last season but his revenge mission came undone when Rosanero full-back Garcia contrived to put through his own net in the 74th minute.

Gasperini was left resigned to the fact that San Siro and Inter represent only “disappointment and regret” in his career.

“We gave Inter a big present today. It’s a shame as we played a decent game,” he said.

“This defeat represents disappointment and regret, joining what I felt at being with Inter for such a short space of time and not being given the chance to work here,” he added.

Mattia Destro bagged a brace on his return to Stadio Artemio Franchi as Roma rallied from a goal down to defeat Siena 3-1.

Miroslav Klose’s 10th goal of the Serie A season lifted Lazio into fourth place at the expense of Parma with a 2-1 victory.

Two goals from Stevan Savic were not enough to earn Fiorentina all three points as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sampdoria.

Udinese restored a little pride to their stuttering season with an impressive 4-1 win over Cagliari.

Alberto Paloschi heaped the pressure on Genoa coach Luigi Delneri with his first ever Serie A hat-trick earning Chievo a 4-2 triumph in Liguria.

Alessandro Diamanti and Manolo Gabbiadini earned Bologna all three points with a 2-1 win over Atalanta at the Stadio Dall’Ara but the home side were made to work hard for victory.