| Genoa climbed up to joint seventh place with this comfortable victory and installed Marco Borriello as the new lone Serie A Capocannoniere with 16 goals. These two giants were promoted back into Serie A after a long absence in the summer and have made a real go of it to challenge for a UEFA Cup spot. Genoa were fresh from a 5-3 hammering of Udinese at the Friuli, while Napoli won 2-1 away to Livorno. This was their first top flight meeting in 13 years, since a 3-3 draw in 1995.
Rubinho sat out a ban for Genoa, but Napoli were hit hardest with Paolo Cannavaro, Marcelo Zalayeta and Fabiano Santacroce suspended, while Ezequiel Lavezzi was still suffering the after-effects of a flu virus. A Matteo Gianello howler almost gifted Genoa an opener in the first minute, but fortunately for him Santos blasted wide of an open goal. At the other end native Neapolitan Marco Borriello caused early problems for the defence, but the Rossoblu lost Matteo Paro to a sprained ankle just 19 minutes in. Genoa were unlucky not to take the lead on the half-hour, as Julio Cesar Leon's free kick from 20 metre curled on to the upright. Fabiano's low strike went through a defender's legs and inches past the far post. Genoa deservedly took the lead with a well-taken goal by Giuseppe Sculli. He gathered in the six-yard box, spun round and fired between two defenders, the near post and the goalkeeper to squeeze the ball into the tightest of spaces. Moments later Napoli reacted as Marek Hamsik's counter flashed across the face of goal and Bovo dived in to anticipate Roberto Sosa. Just before the break Sosa ran on to an inspired Mannini pass, but Bovo did brilliantly to intervene and prevent a very dangerous situation. Mariao Bogliacino replaced Hamsik at the break, but Genoa wasted a good chance when Fabiano fired a Leon assist off target. On 74 minutes Maurizio Domizzi was sent off for a nudge on Borriello when clear on goal - a soft decision - and Borriello converted the resulting penalty to become Capocannoniere, leaving David Trezeguet behind. | 
