Roma maintained their title bid with a 2-0 win over Napoli while Milan's hopes of claiming a Champions League place were given a huge boost after a 3-1 victory over struggling Empoli.

Elsewhere, Fiorentina slipped to defeat in a Tuscan derby against Siena and in the late kick-off, Juventus capitalised on the Viola's slip-up to move four points clear in third place with a comfortable away win in Genoa.

NAPOLI 0-2 ROMA

The visitors moved to back to within six points of leaders Inter Milan thanks to a dream start. Simone Perrotta netted on two minutes following Francesco Totti's pass.

Victory was secured when Totti stroked in a 49th-minute penalty after Cicinho had gone down easily under pressure from Daniele Mannini.

Napoli had the ball in the net twice in the second half but Marek Hamsik's strike was disallowed for offside and Maurizio Domizzi was booked for handling the ball.

EMPOLI 1-3 MILAN

A great header from Massimo Ambrosini and Kaka's cool finish after a counter-attack gave stuttering Milan a late victory which leaves them one point off fourth spot.

Alexandre Pato put Milan in front with the easiest of finishes after home keeper Davide Bassi dropped Massimo Oddo's cross under pressure from Alberto Gilardino.

Antonio Busce equalised for Empoli on 23 minutes when he slid in at the far post after the ball had somehow made its way across Milan's box. Home coach Alberto Malesani was sent to the stands for arguing with officials shortly afterwards.

GENOA 0-2 JUVENTUS

Juventus moved four points clear of Fiorentina with a routine win at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa.

Zdenek Grygera got Juve on their way, thundering a crisp 25-yarder past Alessio Scarpi in the Genoa net on 25 minutes.

The Czech defender then turned provider eight minutes later, slipping a neat ball through for David Trezeguet to notch his 16th league goal of the season and draw level with Genoa's Marco Borriello in the race for the title of Capocannoniere.

SIENA 1-0 FIORENTINA

Massimo Maccarone smashed in a free kick 10 minutes from time to boost Siena's survival hopes but was sent off after receiving a second booking for his over-exuberant celebrations.

Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini contrived to miss the target from five metres out after carving his way through the home defence in the Tuscan derby. Siena forward Mario Frick also had a goal chalked off for offside.

LAZIO 2-0 LIVORNO

Lazio moved further from trouble but left the visitors a point above the drop zone.

Tommaso Rocchi smashed in on the second attempt after Cristian Ledesma's free kick had caused havoc in Livorno's defence and fellow striker Goran Pandev made it two with a deflected strike.

PARMA 1-2 SAMPDORIA

The hosts remain in a relegation dogfight after Christian Maggio gave Samp an early lead when he beat the offside trap to head home and Emiliano Bonazzoli scored with a near post header.

Andrea Gasbarroni hit the post with an early second-half penalty for Parma after Cristiano Lucarelli's shot struck Daniele Gastaldello on the arm. They finally scored through Igor Budan midway through the second period but it was not enough.

The visitors, in seventh, won despite being without suspended striker Antonio Cassano and have left Parma coach Domenico Di Carlo clinging to his job.

CATANIA 2 CAGLIARI 1

The home side came from behind to leave Cagliari four adrift at the bottom with Michele Canini's own goal sealing victory early in the second period.

Daniele Conti stroked home to put the Sardinians ahead after Catania's defence had made a hash of clearing a free kick but Cristian Silvestri equalised with an acrobatic effort on halftime.

TORINO 1-0 ATALANTA

Simone Barone got a slight touch on Roberto Stellone's header to give Torino victory in the 35th minute and moments later Atalanta defender Maximilano Pellegrino was sent off for a nasty foul.

Reuters