Serie A leaders Inter ground out a 1-0 victory at Chievo yesterday as Milan thumped Genoa 5-2 and Juventus ended their bad run with a battling 2-1 victory over Parma.
Champions Inter, eight points clear of second-placed Milan, scored on 12 minutes when Mario Balotelli's shot was cleared from the line and new signing Goran Pandev nodded home only for television replays to show Balotelli's effort had gone in.
Striker Pandev had not played a league game since May having been banished from the Lazio squad in a contract dispute but made an immediate start because of injuries, suspensions and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o being at the African Nations Cup.
The Macedonian belied his lack of sharpness with a lively display as Inter clung on and avoided conceding a late penalty for a Ricardo Quaresma handball.
Patrick Vieira was also impressive in what could be his last Inter match before a transfer, with Manchester City linked with the French midfielder.
"Patrick has found the best way to say goodbye," coach Jose Mourinho told Sky.
"I'm super satisfied. These are the matches that decide lots. What makes the difference is personality and character."
Mourinho said he believes Vieira, who at the end of the match hugged several of his team-mates, was definitely returning to the English Premier League.
"He hasn't said a word to anybody but he has mentioned the English Premier League," added the Portuguese.
Milan, who have a game in hand, paraded David Beckham in their line-up and the Englishman left a positive impact in a high-scoring match where the referee ordered three penalties for the home side.
Ronaldinho saw his first spot-kick stopped by Genoa keeper Marco Amelia on 14 minutes and Milan fell behind soon after when Giuseppe Sculli headed the visitors in front.
But Ronaldinho levelled matters from another penalty and Thiago Silva put Milan 2-1 up before half-time.
Marco Boriello then scored twice after the break and substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar made it 5-1 from the spot before David Suazo pulled a goal back for Genoa 11 minutes from time.
Juventus had lost three in a row in all competitions before the mid-season break, prompting media speculation that Russia coach Guus Hiddink was being lined up to replace Ciro Ferrara.
Right winger Hasan Salihamidzic was brought into a new 4-4-2 formation and headed the visitors in front on three minutes before former Juve striker Nicola Amoruso equalised for sixth-placed Parma.
Paolo Castellini nodded a corner into his own net to give Juve the lead again after 39 minutes and Ferrara's men held on despite having Martin Caceres dismissed for two bookings.
Roma missed the chance to chalk up an away win after conceding twice in injury time in a 2-2 draw at Cagliari where new striker Luca Toni came off the bench.
Napoli went fourth following a 2-0 win at lowly Atalanta while Fiorentina got back to winning ways with a 5-1 thrashing of bottom side Siena.