Australia international Mark Bresciano scored in the 18th minute and captain Eugenio Corini doubled Palermo's lead from the penalty spot just before halftime.

The defeat was Palermo's first of the season at home.

At Empoli, Fiorentina winger Adrian Mutu headed in from a corner in the 67th minute. He then had the assist for Toni's goal 10 minutes later.

Empoli forward Davide Metteini scored his first Serie A goal in the 28th.

At Stadio Olimpico, Chimenti denied Lazio captain Massimo Oddo from the penalty spot after defender Paolo Bianco handled the ball in the area. The goalkeeper also parried Guglielmo Stendardo's 48th-minute header from close range.

Cagliari was reduced to nine men in the 90th minute after defender Joe Bizera was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Alberto Quadri. Midfielder Daniele Conti was expelled for complaining.

Oddo was also red-carded in the fourth minute of extra time for abusing the referee.

Lazio, docked 11 points for its involvement in the scandal, improved to minus-1 but remains in 18th place. Cagliari has four points in 14th place.

Four Serie A clubs _ Lazio, Fiorentina, AC Milan, and Reggina _ were docked points by a sports tribunal in July for their role in the scandal that stripped Juventus of the last two titles and relegated it to Serie B with a 17-point penalty.

On Saturday, Milan was held 1-1 at Sampdoria for its third consecutive draw, while Siena beat nine-man Messina 3-1.

1

2