Nine-man Inter hold off Sampdoria

FC Internazionale Milano extended their lead at the top of Serie A to eight points with a goalless home draw against UC Sampdoria, but the scoreline could not begin to tell the full story of a game that included three red cards.

For the second time in five league games, Inter were reduced to nine men and on this occasion had to hang on for more than 50 minutes two short of their full complement. Walter Samuel was first to go after fouling Nicola Pozzi in the 31st minute and his centre-back partner, Iván Córdoba, followed soon after for a second bookable offence.

However, Sampdoria struggled to create chances and then had a man sent off themselves 17 minutes from time when Giampaolo Pazzini was shown his second yellow card. The game's best chance fell to Samuel Eto'o who fashioned an opening after Pazzini's dismissal but only shot straight at Marco Storari. Inter held on and the draw means José Mourinho maintained his record of not losing a home league fixture since 23 February 2002.

In the day's only other game, Genoa CFC ran out comfortable 3-0 victors against Udinese Calcio to move up to seventh. Robert Acquafresca, without a goal since November, opened the scoring on the half-hour mark before doubling his tally via the penalty spot eight minutes after the break. Cristián Zapata's dismissal (57) presented Udinese with even more of an uphill struggle and Rodrigo Palacio put the result beyond doubt in the 64th minute.