Italy round-up: Vieri puts Inter back on top

Internazionale FC made the most of a draw for AS Roma with a 2-0 win over Parma AC to return to the top of Serie A.

Vieri again
An own goal from Nestor Sensini gave Inter a third-minute lead and the Milan club made sure of victory when Christian Vieri slammed in his 13th goal of the campaign in the 83rd minute. Roma had to battle back for their point at Udinese Calcio after David di Michele put the hosts in front just before the interval. In-form striker Gabriel Batistuta saved the champions with a goal seven minutes from time to make it 1-1. Udinese could still have taken all three points but Roberto Muzzi missed a penalty with two minutes remaining.

Two for Trezeguet
Roma's draw also allowed Juventus FC to gain some ground. David Trezeguet scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Atalanta BC that moved the third-placed team to within three points of second place. The other goal came from Alessio Tacchinardi. At the bottom of the table, lowly AC Venezia were defeated 1-0 by AC Hellas-Verona, thanks to Massimo Oddo's solitary strike.

Five for Lazio
The biggest winners on Sunday were S.S. Lazio who recorded a 5-0 home victory over AC Perugia. The Roman club shared the goals around too, with Simone Inzaghi, Claudio López, Stefano Fiore, Dejan Stankovic and Paulo Negro all getting on the scoresheet. Lazio's Argentinian international striker Hernán Crespo faces three weeks out of action after picking up a thigh muscle injury during the victory. Crespo was substituted in the 26th minute with an injury to his right thigh.

Milan held
In Sunday's evening match, a late goal from AC Fiorentina forward Adriano earned his side a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Milan AC at the Artemio Franchi stadium. José Mari gave Milan the lead six minutes after the break, before Andriy Shevchenko wasted the chance to double their lead when he missed from the penalty spot after 71 minutes. Four minutes later Milan were reduced to ten men when Gennaro Gattuso was sent off for a second bookable offence, before Adriano netted in the final minute.

Chievo slump
It was another disappointing day for early-season high-flyers AC Chievo Verona, who went down again. This time they lost 3-1 to Bologna FC and had the misfortune of seeing defender Lorenzo d'Anna sent off in the 58th minute. Lamberto Zauli scored twice for Bologna in the 38th and 90th minutes, sandwiching a strike from Argentinian Julio Cruz in the 70th minute. Chievo's consolation came from Luigi Beghotto just before Zauli's second.

Valuable point
Also on Sunday, US Lecce earned a valuable point against Piacenza FC with a goalless draw.