Totti pushes Roma further ahead

Francesco Totti's eighth-minute penalty was all AS Roma required to move three points clear at the top of Serie A on Sunday.

Still unbeaten
With AC Milan involved in the European/South American Cup, Roma knew any result at home against Modena FC would edge them ahead - and after Totti was fouled by Marco Balestri in the penalty area, the Roma captain stepped up to score himself and stretch the capital club's unbeaten start to the season to 13 games.

Goals galore
Juventus FC took advantage of Milan's inactivity to move a point behind them by virtue of a comfortable win against Parma AC at the Delle Alpi. Juve, who chalked up a UEFA Champions League record margin of victory with their 7-0 demolition of Olympiacos CFP in midweek, picked up where they left off by scoring four goals without reply against Cesare Prandelli's side.

Miccoli double
Juventus had suffered back-to-back defeats in Serie A but were set on the road to their first league victory for three weeks by Fabrizio Miccoli, who converted Pavel Nedved's pass ten minutes into the game. Miccoli scored again on the half-hour mark, controlling a long ball from Alessio Tacchinardi before beating Parma goalkeeper Sebastian Frey to double the home side's lead. An angled shot from substitute Alessandro Del Piero with 20 minutes left to play made it 3-0 and there was still time for Nedved to get on the scoresheet himself, sending an effort zipping past Frey for Juve's fourth.

Zaccheroni turnaround
Internazionale FC remain a point behind Juve in fourth after their 2-0 away win against Bologna FC, further extending their unbeaten Serie A record under new coach Alberto Zaccheroni. The Milan club's sixth consecutive victory came courtesy of first-half goals from Obafemi Martins and Álvaro Recoba. Bologna, still searching for their third win of the season, were denied twice by the woodwork suring the second half, Giuseppe Signori hitting the bar and Cesare Natali striking an upright.

Liverani saviour
S.S. Lazio made amends for their midweek exit from European competition by climbing into fifth position after a 1-0 win at basement club Ancona Calcio. Fabio Liverani scored the game's only goal, a delightful lob over Ancona keeper Alessio Scarpi.

Flachi finishes
Two spectacular goals from Sampdoria UC's Francesco Flachi, including an 89th-minute leveller, denied AC Perugia all three points in a 3-3 draw at the Renato Curi. Flachi had opened the scoring with an overhead kick and completed his side's comeback from 3-1 down with a flying volley.

Brescia relief
Elsewhere, Empoli FC missed the chance to pull level with opponents Brescia Calcio, who moved well clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at the Mario Rigamonti. Stefano Mauri and Luigi Di Biagio scored the goals in what was only Brescia's second win of the season. The game between Reggina Calcio and AC Chievo Verona finished goalless.