Fiorentina continue to improve

Fiorentina moved within five points of Serie A leaders Juventus with a 2-1 win over nine-man Cagliari.

Goals from in-form Luca Toni and Martin Jorgensen sealed the win for the Florence club after David Suazo had put the Sardinians ahead.

Cagliari’s cause was hardly helped by the dismissals of Daniele Conti and Michele Canini.

Fiorentina are third and moved closer to Juventus whose 100% record ended with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of second-placed AC Milan yesterday.

Elsewhere, Livorno went fifth with a 2-0 win at home to Parma with Cristiano Lucarelli and Stefano Morrone supplying the goals.

Roma’s recent improvement continued with a 2-1 win over Ascoli. Philippe Mexes scored the late winner after Ascoli’s Maurizio Domizzi had levelled up Christian Panucci’s opener.

Roma had Cristian Chivu sent off nine minutes from time when the score was 1-1.

Bottom side Lecce lost again with two late goals from substitute Gaetano D’Agostino earning Messina a 2-0 win while Chievo shared a 2-2 draw with Empoli.

Franco Semioli put Chievo ahead but it needed a Sergio Pellissier goal to salvage a draw after Christian Rigano and Francesco Tavano had turned the match in the favour of Empoli.

Veteran striker Enrico Chiesa scored the only goal as Siena won 1-0 at Treviso while it took an own goal from Luciano Zauri for Reggina to see off Lazio.

Udinese drew 0-0 with Palermo.