| Christian Vieri gave Fiorentina a very important victory in the hunt for the top spots against fellow surprise outfit Napoli. These two clubs have been demoted to Serie C for financial problems in recent years, but are back on top now and aiming for Europe or even the Scudetto. The Viola were, along with Inter, the only unbeaten side after nine rounds, while Napoli were fresh from an historic 3-1 victory over Juventus. It was a controversial one, though, and Marcelo Zalayeta's two-match ban for diving to win a penalty was revoked the night before this game, but not early enough to reintroduce him to the squad. Manuele Blasi was out injured for the visiting midfield. This fixture had not ended in a Serie A draw since a 1-1 in April 1993. Christian Vieri received his first start for Fiorentina and had the first chance after three minutes with a header that whistled wide, while Adrian Mutu just failed to meet a corner kick from point-blank range. Roberto Sosa wasted a good opportunity by firing over from Ezequiel Lavezzi's assist, but Mutu's finish was weak from six yards and Vieri's effort was smothered. It was an open game and on 33 minutes Sebastien Frey needed remarkable reflexes to deny Lavezzi's chest and volley after Sosa held up the ball for the Argentine sensation. Sosa wasted an incredible chance after the break, firing straight at Frey from point-blank range following Dario Dainelli's error. Fiorentina also went close, Maurizio Domizzi clearing a Mutu attempt practically off the line. It was Vieri who gave the Viola the lead on the hour mark. Mutu's low cross from the left found the veteran totally unmarked, as Savini was caught ball-watching, and it was child's play to tap in from seven yards. It was Vieri's 137th Serie A goal. Mutu went on a spectacular solo run through the Napoli defence and exchanged passes with Vieri, but could only hit the side-netting from a tight angle. Sosa thought he had equalised, but his header was disallowed for a debatable push. Fiorentina deserved another goal, as Mutu's dummies confused the defence, but Giampaolo Pazzini fired over from a promising position. | 
