Serie A: Beckham inspired Milan win and round-up

David Beckham’s second coming at AC Milan started on a winning note as the Rossoneri secured a 5-2 success over Genoa.

The England international had a strong 75-minute showing, slotting back into the Milan team he represented 18 times last year like he had never been away.

Juve’s earlier win at Parma knocked AC Milan out of second place, but they maintained pace with Inter Milan after a thrilling match at the San Siro.

It looked like being one of those nights when Ronaldinho’s penalty miss was followed up by Giuseppe Sculli giving Genoa a 25th minute lead.

However, former Barcelona star Ronaldinho scored from his second spot-kick to level matters before Thiago Silva put the home side in front.

The goals kept on coming after the interval with Marco Borriello helping himself to a brace with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scoring Milan’s third penalty kick of the game.

Genoa did have the last laugh when Suazo scored late on, but it proved nothing more than a consolation.

Inter continue to lead the way thanks to a 1-0 win over Chievo. Mario Balotelli’s first-half goal proved to be enough to give Jose Mourinho’s men the points in their first game after the winter break.

Goran Pandev was handed his debut following his arrival on a free transfer earlier this month and he was involved in the only goal of the game.

Neat work by Pandev and Wesley Sneijder sent Balotelli through on goal and his first shot was saved by Chievo keeper Stefano Sorrentino.

His second effort was cleared from the goal only for Pandev to nod home. However, replays showed Balotelli’s second shot had crossed the line and he was awarded the goal.

Juventus got back to winning ways after losing their last three games in all competitions before the winter break with a 2-1 success at Parma.

Hasan Salihamidzic gave Juve the dream start with the opener after just three minutes only for former Juve forward Nicola Amoruso to head Parma level on 25 minutes.

Paolo Castellini’s unfortunate own goal restored Juve’s lead before the break and although Martin Caceres was sent off 17 minutes from time they held on for the three points.

Roma conceded twice in stoppage time as Cagliari staged a remarkable comeback to earn a 2-2 draw.

Roma looked to be heading for all three points thanks to David Pizarro’s penalty and Simone Perrotta’s 65th minute strike, but Cagliari hit back with injury-time goals from Diego Lopez and Daniele Conti.

Napoli climbed up to fourth spot with a 2-0 victory at struggling Atalanta.

Goals in each half from Fabio Quagliarella (7) and Michele Pazienza (58) were enough to give Napoli the spoils in Bergamo.

Fiorentina piled the misery on basement boys Siena with a thumping 5-1 victory.

Per Kroldrup set Fiorentina on their way after just five minutes and further goals from Mario Alberto Santana (29), Alberto Gilardino (36,66) and Adrian Mutu (79) rendered Massimo Maccarone’s effort from the penalty spot a mere consolation.

Lazio climbed clear of trouble at the wrong end of the table with a 4-1 victory over Livorno.

Martin Bergvold gave Livorno the lead after just seven minutes, but Sergio Floccari netted twice on his Lazio debut to turn the game in the home side’s favour.

Tommaso Rocchi’s effort and Aleksandar Kolarov’s injury-time penalty rounded off a good day for Lazio.

Catania boosted their survival hopes with a priceless 1-0 win over Bologna as Sinisa Mihajlovic got the better of his former employers.

Nicolas Spolli was the hero for Catania with the only goal of the game nine minutes from time.

New Udinese coach Gianni De Biasi suffered defeat in his first game in charge after seeing his troops go down 2-0 to Bari following goals from Riccardo Meggiorini (6) and Paulo Barreto (68)

Sampdoria missed the chance to leapfrog Palermo in the table after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Sicilian outfit.

Edinson Cavani gave Palermo the lead on 41 minutes, but Antonio Cassano responded for Sampdoria a minute later.