Juve derailed by Inter

Internazionale FC bounced back from their midweek UEFA Champions League humbling to inflict a first Serie A defeat of the season on Juventus FC at the Stadio Delle Alpi on Saturday.

Cruz control
Inter had been defeated 5-1 by a rampant Arsenal FC in midweek but regrouped to take apart the Italian champions, who slip to third in the standings. Julio Cruz put Alberto Zaccheroni's side on the road to the 3-1 victory with a brilliant 12th-minute free-kick and doubled his tally with the second on 67 minutes. As the clock ran down, Obafemi Martins scored his fourth goal of the season to further increase the visitors' lead before Paolo Montero scored a last-minute consolation for Juventus.

Lippi calm
Despite the defeat, Juventus coach Marcello Lippi was in a positive frame of mind after the game. "Inter certainly had something more than us," he said. "But let's not forget this is our first loss since we started out in July. Every year we have a slip somewhere in the season."

One-point advantage
This slip came at a cost, letting in undefeated title rivals AS Roma and AC Milan, who enjoy a one-point advantage over Juventus thanks to home victories against US Lecce and Modena FC respectively.

Cool Carew
Roma's marginally superior goal difference means they top the pile after their 3-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico. John Carew was in splendid form for Fabio Capello's side, making one goal and scoring another after Brazilian Mancini had given them the lead. Carew chested down a long pass from Emerson before sending a shot crashing into the net on the stroke of half-time and squared a pass for captain Francesco Totti to slide in for Roma's third on 78 minutes.
 
Shevchenko strikes
Andriy Shevchenko scored both goals in Milan's 2-0 victory, controlling a pass from Andrea Pirlo before dispatching the opener midway through the first half and adding his 12th goal in eleven matches on 67 minutes to stretch his side's unbeaten start to the season to eleven Serie A games.

Parma climb
S.S. Lazio's 3-0 defeat against AC Siena allowed Parma AC to climb into fifth place behind Inter with their 3-1 victory against AC Chievo Verona. Domenico Morfeo and Marco Marchionni gave Parma a two-goal lead and although Sergio Pellissier pulled one back for the visitors, Gilardino's 80th-minute penalty sealed all three points.

Flachi rescue
Elswhere, UC Sampdoria were indebted to half-time substitute Francesco Flachi, who scored one goal and made the other in their 2-0 home victory against bottom club Ancona Calcio. Brescia Calcio were not so lucky at home, going down by the odd goal in three at the hands of Udinese Calcio.

Scorer dismissed
The weekend's other games both finished with honours even, Reggina Calcio playing out a goalless draw with Bologna FC while winless AC Perugia drew 1-1 with Empoli FC. Zisis Vryzas had an afternoon of mixed emotions, scoring the equaliser following Empoli striker Tommaso Rocchi's third-minute opener and a missed penalty by Perugia's Zé Maria, only to receive a red card in added time.