Serie APalermo went clear at the top of Serie A with a 5-3 derby win over Catania last night while Inter Milan beat AS Roma 1-0 in the capital.

Palermo came from behind to trounce visiting Catania, in the first top-flight derby between the two Sicilian clubs since 1963, making it three wins out of three for Francesco Guidolin's side.

A Eugenio Corini penalty and goals by Brazilian Amauri and Italy defender Andrea Barzagli made sure of victory for Palermo.

A 44th-minute goal from Argentina striker Hernan Crespo gave Inter Milan, who are third with seven points, victory at the Olympic Stadium although they had French midfielder Patrick Vieira sent off for the second time this season.

Another Sicilian club, Messina, are in second place, on seven points, after a goal in each half by Christian Rigano gave them a 2-0 home victory over Reggina.

AC Milan picked up their third straight win with a 68th minute header from Marek Jankulovski earning them a 1-0 victory over Ascoli at San Siro.

Milan have now wiped out the eight-point penalty imposed on them by a sports tribunal and have one point.

Inter were on top from the outset in Rome with Crespo's solo effort giving them a deserved lead before Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed a penalty and Argentine Javier Zanetti hit the post.

Vieira, who was sent off in the Champions League defeat by Sporting Lisbon earlier this month, was dismissed in injury time for a second bookable offence.

Sampdoria produced an outstanding comeback from three goals down to draw 3-3 at home to Udinese while Fiorentina picked up their first win of the season with an early Adrian Mutu goal giving them a 1-0 victory over visitors Parma.

Fiorentina, who had a 19 point penalty imposed on them at the start of the season as a result of Italy's match-fixing scandal, are now on minus 16 at the bottom of the table.

Lazio, who got an 11-point penalty from the match-fixing tribunal, are now on minus eight after a Massimo Oddo penalty gave them a 1-0 win at Chievo.