Mathieu Flamini scored a first-half goal but was later sent off in a bad-tempered 1-1 Serie A draw last night between Milan and Napoli at the San Siro.

Inter were at the wrong end of a penalty decision for the second week in a row, losing 2-0 against Cagliari after succumbing 4-3 to Atalanta in the previous round.

Genoa and Sampdoria drew 1-1 in their derby and a blunder by Palermo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino, who appeared to forget the back pass rule, cost the relegation-threatened Sicilians a precious win against Bologna in another 1-1 draw.

In the top match of the day played at the San Siro, Milan, looking to close the gap on second-placed Napoli, made the brighter start and took the lead after 30 minutes.

Frenchman Flamini hit a fierce left-foot shot from the edge of the area that gave no chance to Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

But Napoli’s reaction was immediate and they managed to restore equilibrium three minutes later.

Marek Hamsik made inroads on the left channel and the Slovakian midfielder quickly sent a dangerous low cross across the area towards the unmarked Pandev who cooly slotted the ball past Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

Milan’s hopes of grabbing victory took a blow on 72 minutes when Flamini turned from hero to villain when he was shown a straight red card for a studs-up tackle on Juan Camilo Zuniga.

Napoli stayed four points clear of Milan, who look increasingly as if they will have to settle for a third-place finish and a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds next season.

Napoli, meanwhile, are still eight points behind leaders Juventus, who visit Lazio this evening.

In Trieste, Cagliari’s Mauricio Pinilla won and converted a 62nd minute penalty after he was caught by Matias Silvestre in what appeared a harsh decision and the Chilean also scored the second to hand Inter their fourth defeat in five league matches.

Inter complained last week that they had not been awarded a penalty for 21 matches and club president Massimo Moratti said referees were not acting in good faith. Inter’s complaints were criticised by other clubs including neighbours Milan.

Inter, almost certain to be without Champions League football again next season, dropped to seventh with 50 points from 32 games.

Cagliari played the match in Trieste, nearly 1,000 kms from their Sardinian base, due to security problems at the Is Arenas.

A speculative cross-shot by Matuzalem in the 80th minute gave Genoa a point against Sampdoria, who had taken the lead with a free kick by his fellow Brazilian Eder which went under the defensive wall in the first half.

Sampdoria had Andrea Costa sent off for a second bookable offence just before the equaliser.

Palermo went ahead with a fourth minute goal by Josip Ilicic but Bologna levelled in bizarre circumstances.

Sorrentino moved to pick up Michel Morganella’s back pass, changed his mind, the ball went underneath him and Manolo Gabbiadini tapped into the empty goal.

Palermo and Genoa stayed level on 28 points in the relegation zone, two behind Siena and safety. Pescara are bottom with 21.

Colombian forward Luis Muriel scored twice to help Udinese to a 3-0 win at Parma in a midtable clash and Erik Lamela struck on the hour as Roma won 2-1 at Torino to go sixth with 51 points.

Serie A

Cagliari 2
Pinilla 62 pen, 76;
Inter 0

HT: 0-0. Att: 5,100.

Chievo 0
Catania 0

Att: 10,000.

Genoa 1
Matuzalem 80;
Sampdoria 1
Eder 28;

HT: 0-1. Att: 29,000.
Red card: Costa (S) 78.

Milan 1
Flamini 30;
Napoli 1
Pandev 33;

HT: 1-1. Att: 72,024.
Red card: Flamini (M) 72.

Palermo 1
Ilicic 4;
Bologna 1
Gabbiadini 17;

HT: 1-1. Att: 26,069.

Parma 0
Udinese 3
Muriel 12,43; Pereyra 62;

HT: 0-2. Att: 13,000.

Torino 1
Bianchi 31;
Roma 2
Osvaldo 22; Lamela 60;

HT: 1-1. Att: 15,000.
Red card: Balzaretti (R) 82.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Juventus	31	22	5	4	61	20	71
Napoli	32	18	9	5	58	30	63
Milan	32	17	8	7	56	35	59
Fiorentina	32	16	7	9	58	39	55
Lazio	31	15	6	10	40	37	51
Roma	32	15	6	11	63	53	51
Inter	32	15	5	12	50	45	50
Udinese	32	12	12	8	44	39	48
Catania	32	13	8	11	40	38	47
Cagliari	32	11	9	12	39	49	42
Parma	32	10	9	13	39	42	39
Bologna	32	10	8	14	42	41	38
Sampdoria (-1)	32	10	8	14	37	39	37
Atalanta (-2)	32	11	6	15	34	47	37
Torino (-1)	32	8	13	11	40	45	36
Chievo	32	10	6	16	32	48	36
Siena (-6)	32	9	9	14	34	44	30
Palermo	32	5	13	14	29	45	28
Genoa	32	6	10	16	32	50	28
Pescara	32	6	3	23	24	66	21

Today
Lazio vs Juventus - 20.45

Next fixtures
Wednesday: Coppa Italia SF, 2nd leg – 20.45 Inter vs Roma.
Saturday: 18.00 Genoa vs Atalanta. 20.45 Udinese vs Lazio.
Sunday: 12.30 Inter vs Parma. 15.00 Bologna vs Sampdoria; Catania vs Palermo; Fiorentina vs Torino; Napoli vs Cagliari; Roma vs Pescara; Siena vs Chievo. 20.45 Juventus vs Milan.

Top scorers
22 goals: Cavani (Napoli)
17 goals: Di Natale (Udinese)
16 goals: El Shaaraway (Milan)
15 goals: Denis (Atalanta)
14 goals: Lamela (Roma)
13 goals: Pazzini (Milan)

Prima Divisione ‘A’
Trapani vs Pavia 3-0; FeralpiSalo vs Carpi 0-1; Cremonese vs SudTirol 2-1; Cuneo vs Como 1-1; V. Entella vs San Marino 2-0; AlbinoLeffe vs Portogruaro 3-0; Reggiana vs Lecce 0-2; Treviso vs Tritium 1-1.

Leading standings: Trapani 56; Lecce 54; Carpi 47; V. Entella, SudTirol 46; San Marino 42; AlbinoLeffe 40; FeralpiSalo, Cremonese 39.

Prima Divisione ‘B’
Latina vs Avellino 2-1; Frosinone vs Benevento 0-0; Catanzaro vs Carrarese 0-0; Nocerina vs Gubbio 1-1; Barletta vs Prato 3-0; Andria vs Paganese 0-1; Pisa vs Viareggio 1-0; Perugia vs Sorrento 2-1.

Leading standings: Avellino 54; Perugia 52; Latina 49; Nocerina 47; Pisa 43; Benevento 42; Frosinone 39; Paganese 38.