Gilardino's brace carries Fiorentina past Napoli

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03/13/2010 - Naples, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of second-half goals from Alberto Gilardino handed Fiorentina a 3-1 win over Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday.

Ezequiel Lavezzi broke a scoreless deadlock early in the second half to put Napoli in front, but Gilardino scored the first of his two goals on the hour mark before adding another three minutes from time.

Stevan Jovetic then scored deep into stoppage time with Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis out of his net after he got forward on a corner kick.

Despite the win, Fiorentina is still in 10th place but has moved to within touching distance of a spot in Europe, while Napoli is seventh and only three points clear of the Viola.

Each team produced its best chance from a corner kick in the opening half as Gilardino went close with a header in the 17th minute before Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey made a diving save on a header from German Denis.

The first goal arrived three minutes after halftime and it came from a right- wing cross by Cristian Maggio, who lobbed the ball towards the front of goal for Lavezzi to nod past Frey.

Napoli almost added another goal one minute later when Juan Camilo Zuniga had his shot turned past the post, but the visitors were level on the hour mark when Gilardino headed home a cross from Jovetic at the near post.

A corner kick three minutes from time put Fiorentina ahead as Jovetic headed the ball towards goal from the middle of the penalty area and Gilardino cut in front of the shot and got enough of his head to the ball to redirect it past the keeper.

Napoli had two chance to equalize in the final minutes as Luca Cigarini's free kick went close before Maggio's header was kept out by a diving stop from Frey.

Jovetic then added another goal right before the final whistle as he rolled the ball into an empty net with De Sanctis caught upfield after a corner kick.

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Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
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Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
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Why would Wade say that?
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better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
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"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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