Inter thrash Catania 5-2 to continue winning streak

ROME, Feb 25 (Reuters) Inter Milan notched up their 17th successive Serie A victory with a 5-2 win at Catania today.

Catania resisted stubbornly until just before the interval when Inter defender Walter Samuel headed in from a corner.

Second-half goals by Santiago Solari, Fabio Grosso, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz sealed the win to give Inter 66 points from 24 games, 14 ahead of AS Roma who beat Reggina 3-0.

Palermo lie third on 44 points following their 1-1 draw with Atalanta yesterday.

Lazio climbed to fourth on 37 points after first-half strikes by Sanchez Cribari and Tommaso Rocchi gave them a 2-0 win at Cagliari.

In a later match, AC Milan host Sampdoria.

REUTERS SAM RK2300