INTER START NEW YEAR WITH VICTORY

Thursday, 06 January 2005 17:00:38

LIVORNO - Inter showed character and determination to keep a spirited Livorno side at bay and win their first match of 2005 by two goals to nil thanks to efforts in each half from Materazzi and Vieri. Adriano squandered a chance to give the Nerazzurri a 25th-minute lead at the Armando Picchi Stadium, pulling his spot kick wide of the right post after Alessandro Lucarelli handled the ball in the Tuscan penalty box. But Marco Materazzi, on for an injured Mihajlovic, made amends just before the half-time break with a far-post header from Andy van der Meyde's corner. Inter were awarded a second penalty with a quarter of an hour remaining after Giallombardo brought down van der Meyde. Christian Vieri obliged, beating Amelia with a fiercely-struck shot to take his tally for the season to seven goals. The victory sees the Nerazzurri remain fourth in the Serie A table along with this Sunday's opponents Sampdoria, who beat third-placed Udinese 2-0.

LIVORNO 0-2 INTER (HT: 0-1)