Eto’o scores brace as Inter clinch easy win

ROME - Serie A champions Inter Milan had Dejan Stankovic and Diego Milito on target before a Samuel Eto’o brace in a 4-1 home beating of Bologna that reduced their gap from leaders AC Milan.

The Nerazzurri have two games in hand as they lag eight points behind the cross-town rivals, who close the weekend late Sunday away to struggling Lecce, a promoted side who last weekend won 2-1 at third-place Lazio.

Argentine Milito opened the game at the Giuseppe Meazza nodding against the left post off a previous header from Lucio, but scored his side’s second goal on the half hour and set up Eto’o for his first.

Eto’o on 20 minutes offered a great assist to Serb Stankovic, who laid in after the Cameroon star stormed from the midfield amidst two Bologna players.

Bologna reacted a with a drive from striker Marco Di Vaio that was not angled enough to stun Luca Castellazzi.

Uruguayan Henry Gimenez fired high early in the second half box and Di Vaio grazed the left post with a free kick before Eto’o on 63 minutes secured the win with a low shot by the far post after a classy pass-and-go with Milito.

Eto’o was again on target with a swerving free kick to bring his goal tally to 11 and draw level with Di Vaio, while Napoli’s Edinson Cavani and Antonio Di Natale of Udinese lead the scorers’ table on 13 goals.

Earlier Saturday, Napoli drew 0-0 at home to Fiorentina in a dull performance that slowed down their chase of leaders Milan.

The Naples side failed to display the impressive pace that last weekend saw them beat Juventus 3-0 with a hat-trick from Uruguayan Cavani.

They moved on to 37 points from 20 games and lag three points behind Milan as the league begins its second half.