Sampdoria vs. Parma

Gigi Del Neri's men needed a victory to stay top of the table and were certainly not short on confidence after beating Inter last week. Parma, on the other hand, were shocked 2-0 at home by Cagliari and had Valeri Bojinov, Massimo Paci and Andrea Pisanu ruled out. Franco Semioli, Pietro Accardi and Fernando Tissone missed out for the Blucerchiati.

The Ducali had lost their previous two visits to Marassi and won in April 2006, but the tie hadn't ended in a stalemate since November 1996.

Antonio Cassano went on a slalom past at least five Parma shirts before spinning round to chip the cross for Giampaolo Pazzini, Antonio Mirante fingertipping the looping header out from under the crossbar.

The Gialloblu also went close moments later when a free kick flashed across the face of goal with Cristian Zaccardo only just making contact.

Sampdoria took the lead with a stunning Pazzini header, as he peeled off his marker to steer a long Mannini pass over a helpless Mirante.

Parma equalised at the end of a well-worked move. Jonathan Biabiany knocked a Castellini cross down for Nicola Amoruso, who spread it back out for Daniele Galloppa's daisy-cutter from the edge of the box.

Angelo Palombo and Poli went close from distance. After the restart Cassano went on the counter and rolled across the six-yard box for Pazzini, who fell between two sliding challenges, but the referee waved play on.

Poli had a wonderful opportunity to restore Samp's lead. Padalino flicked it up and out wide to the unmarked Poli, whose angled drive went between Mirante's legs, but MacDonald Mariga rushed back for a decisive goalline clearance.

Nicola Amoruso smashed a powerful effort for Castellazzi to save at the near post, then Morrone also tested the Sampdoria shot-stopper. Parma were having the best chances with Amoruso chesting down a Mariga pass for Castellazzi to come tearing off the line.