Italy round-up: Inter move clear

Internazionale FC moved three points clear at the top of Serie A with a 3-0 win against Reggina Calcio while local rivals AC Milan slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat at AC Perugia.

Three-point gap
The results left Inter on 45 points, while Milan and Juventus FC, who defeated Empoli FC 1-0 on Saturday, both have 42 points.

Vieri scores again
Inter took the lead against Reggina after only ten minutes, as Christian Vieri volleyed in Iván Cordoba’s cross for his 18th league goal of the season. However, the striker was taken off after 29 minutes suffering from a knee injury that is likely to keep him out of Italy’s friendly international with Portugal on Wednesday night.

Immediate impact
The substitution did not affect Inter, and Vieri’s replacement Mohamed Kallon doubled the lead ten minutes later, scoring from close range after Reggina goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi had parried a shot from Inter's Turkish midfield player Okan Buruk. Kallon then effectively ended the contest three minutes before half-time, converting a penalty awarded after Emre Belözoglu had been brought down by Aimo Diana.

'Deserved win'
"We had some difficulties early on but after the goal we were superior and won deservedly. I am very happy with the way we performed," said Inter coach Héctor Cúper.

Stunning strike

Lazio held again
S.S. Lazio fell further off the pace at the top of the table after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Torino Calcio, meaning they have failed to win their last three league games and are now seven points behind Inter in fourth place.

Early chance
Enrico Chiesa hit the crossbar for Lazio in the first minute of the match, before midfield player Diego Simeone headed in a Chiesa corner after 35 minutes. However, Marco Ferrante headed an equaliser for Torino 19 minutes from time, and Lazio had defender Fernando Couto sent off in the closing stages for a second yellow card.

Roma frustrated
AS Roma's disappointing season continued as they needed a late headed equaliser from Greek defender Traianos Dellas to rescue a 1-1 draw at mid-table Modena FC, who led through a neat chip from French midfield player Diomansy Kamara three minutes before half-time.

Penalty drama
Elsewhere, AC Chievo Verona drew 0-0 at Brescia Calcio, while Como Calcio drew 2-2 with Parma AC, who drew level four minutes from tie with an Adrian Mutu penalty, his second of the game. Nicola Caccia, who also missed a penalty, and Nicola Amoruso were the Como scorers.

Exciting game
In tonight's late game, Atalanta BC won an exciting game 3-2 at Bologna FC. Two Alex Pinardi goals gave the away side a comfortable lead, but the home side drew level midway through the second half with two penalties in quick succession from experienced striker Giuseppe Signori. However, Fausto Rossini's last-minute strike ended Bologna's comeback and secured all three points for Atalanta.