Inter Milan have extended their lead at the top of Serie A to eight points after a controversial 1-0 victory over Empoli while Roma suffered a shock loss in Siena and Milan overcame Fiorentina.

A contentious 34th-minute penalty converted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic settled the encounter in Inter's favour - the referee adjudging Ighli Vannucchi to have handled Dejan Stankovic's shot.

The decision will do little to quieten critics who have suggested Inter have been the beneficiaries of several dubious refereeing displays recently - claims which led to the Inter players conducting a media ban last week.

It was far from plain sailing against relegation strugglers Empoli, though, after Patrick Vieira was sent off five minutes after Ibrahimovic's goal.

Second-placed Roma crashed to a surprise 3-0 defeat at lowly Siena.

Simone Vergassola put Siena ahead before a Max Tonetto own goal and a Mario Frick strike saw off the Giallorossi.

Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw at home to rock-bottom Cagliari.

Paolo Bianco put the visitors ahead at the Stadio Olimpico but Pavel Nedved equalised for Juve a minute later.

AC Milan's recent revival continued with a 1-0 win at fellow UEFA Champions League contenders Fiorentina - in which Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac kept a clean sheet and earned praise for his perfoarmance.

Alexandre Pato netted the only goal for the Rossoneri to move his side to within four points of the fourth-placed Viola.

However, Milan's victory was soured by an ankle injury suffered by Brazilian teen, who had to be stretchered off the pitch minutes after his lone goal secured the points.

"He picked up a pretty serious sprain," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti later revealed. "We need 48 hours to evaluate the extent of the injury."

Cristiano Lucarelli's missed penalty proved costly as Parma slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Atalanta.

The striker initially scored the 34th-minute spot-kick but the referee ordered it to be retaken because of players encroaching in the area and his weak second attempt was saved, squandering the chance to draw level after Maximiliano Pellegrino had given the visitors an 18th-minute lead.

Lucarelli made amends by equalising five minutes later but Gianpaolo Bellini and Sergio Floccari added second-half goals to seal the win.

Andrea Gasbarroni scored a penalty in the last minute but it was of little consolation to the hosts.

Lazio beat Sampdoria 2-1 to end a five-game winless run.

Stefano Mauri opened the scoring for the hosts on 37 minutes before Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Tommaso Rocchi struck 13 minutes from the end to hand the Romans all three points.

Torino gave themselves some breathing space in the relegation battle towards the bottom of Serie A with an impressive 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Reggina.

Alessandro Rosina put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot midway through the first half and Roberto Stellone doubled their advantage 10 minutes before half-time.

Nicola Amoruso pulled one back for Reggina after 59 minutes, but Rosina netted his second spot-kick of the game seven minutes later to settle the contest.

Marco Borriello's 12th goal of the season earned Genoa all three points as they defeated Catania 2-1.

Sacramento Danilo gave the home side the lead in the 13th minute and they had chances to increase their advantage before a Cesare Bovo own goal in the 59th minute brought Catania level.

But Borriello, who has been named in the Italy squad, won and converted a 71st-minute penalty to seal the win.

PA Sport