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Inter eight clear after Cagliari stun Juve

ROME (AFP) - Sardinian minnows Cagliari stunned Juventus 2-0 allowing leaders Inter Milan to open up an eight-point lead at the top of Serie A following a controversial 1-0 success over Fiorentina.

AC Milan could cut the gap to seven points if they win away to Catania in Sunday's late match.

Juve's title chances took a serious hit as they were well beaten by an energetic Cagliari team who won their fifth match in six - their only defeat in that spell a thrilling 4-3 reverse at the San Siro against Milan.

It means Juve now have a must win clash at home to Inter next weekend, but coach Ciro Ferrara was more interested about the points lost this week.

"Were Juve disappointing, I think we were watching different games," he said when asked about the match.

"In the first half we had some difficulties but in the second we had several chances.

"Of course I'm disappointed about the gap to Inter and our inconsistent performances but today's defeat wasn't deserved," he added.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho said the gap between the two teams was irrelevant, before swatting away questions about Inter's confidence since being beaten 2-0 by Barcelona in midweek, pointing out that their main rivals had suffered much worse defeats this season.

"Being eight points ahead of them doesn't matter, it could be five or we could be level it doesn't change anything, we will be going to Turin to win," he said.

"They (Barca) destroyed us, that's the right word but I believe other defeats have hurt Italian football more, such as a home loss to FC Zurich (Milan were beaten 1-0 in the San Siro) or one away to Bordeaux (where Juve lost 2-0)."

In Sardinia, Cagliari had much the better of the first period and deservedly took the lead on the half hour through a sensational goal by Brazilian Nene.

From a quickly taken free-kick he took a touch and hit a rocket into the top corner from 25 yards and at an angle that beat Buffon at his near post.

Four minutes into the second period Juve had the ball in the net when Amauri headed home Martin Caceres's cross but it was ruled out for a narrow offside.

Moments later an Andrea Cossu cross clearly hit Caceres on the arm in the Juve box but controversially the referee waved play on.

Francesco Pissano saved Cagliari 10 minutes from time with a crucial diving block to stop a Christian Molinaro volley from six yards out before goalkeeper Federico Marchetti palmed away a dangerous Alessandro Del Piero free-kick.

Substitute Alessandro Matri sealed the victory a minute from time as he ran onto a Jeda flick-on, beat Fabio Cannavaro on the outside and shot under Buffon.

Inter dominated Fiorentina but needed a helping hand from the referee to turn that into three points.

Muntari Sulley had two good chances for Inter in the early stages but twice shot wide, and then Portugal winger Ricardo Quaresma, making a rare start for Inter, hit a cross shot just past the far post on the half hour.

On 50 minutes Walter Samuel headed home from a corner for Inter but his effort was ruled out as he had a solid grip on Dario Dainelli's shirt.

Samuel's centre-back partner Lucio had two good chances but hit a fierce free-kick straight at Frey before heading wide from six yards.

On 65 minutes Milito was played in by Dejan Stankovic but with only Frey to beat he curled his shot wide of the far post.

Late on Antonio Gilardino almost stunned Inter as he wriggled free of the backline and then flicked the ball past Julio Cesar only to see it rebound away off the outside of the post.

Inter finally secured victory thanks to a dubious penalty award after Milito flopped comically to the ground in the box under minimal contact from Gianluca Comotto.

Milito picked himself up to slot home the spot-kick.

Samuel Eto'o could have added insult to injury but Frey made a stunning one-handed save when the Cameroon forward had only the keeper to beat.