Serie A:Lazio held on for a 1-1 draw against a battling Sampdoria with each team having a player sent off.

Giampaolo Pazzini opened the scoring for the visitors in the 40th minute before Francesco Matuzalem equalised shortly before half-time.

After Marco Paladino picked up his second yellow card and was given his marching orders in the 55th minute, the Biancoceleste failed to capitalise and were also reduced to 10 men when Roberto Baronio was sent off with 17 minutes remaining.

Sampdoria almost scored when Antonio Cassano hit the crossbar eight minutes from time but were denied a victory that has left them two points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Midfielder Dejan Stankovic netted with a remarkable volley from the halfway line to help Inter Milan triumph 5-0 at Genoa last night.

With one touch the powerful Serb hooked the ball in during first-half stoppage time when Genoa goalkeeper Marco Amelia was caught out of position after mis-hitting a clearance.

Clinical Inter were already 2-0 up at that point despite being without striker Samuel Eto'o and former Genoa forward Diego Milito.

Esteban Cambiasso gave the champions a sixth-minute lead when his effort was deflected in by Francesco Modesto and lone striker Mario Balotelli then confidently slotted in a first-time shot after Wesley Sneijder's neat pass.

Halftime substitute Patrick Vieira added the fourth and right back Maicon made it five with another classy finish.

Inter lead by two over Samp and have opened a four-point gap over Juventus and Fiorentina, who drew 1-1 in Turin.

Juan Manuel Vargas put visitors Fiorentina ahead on five minutes when he latched on to Stevan Jovetic's clever pass and prodded home at the near post.

Striker Amauri then tapped in his first goal since February to level for Juve, who have not won in five outings.