Udinese halt Milan run

Udinese Calcio inflicted AC Milan's first Serie A defeat of the season to ensure AS Roma enter the Christmas break with a six-point cushion at the top.

Early goal
Roma had moved ahead on Saturday with a 2-0 win against Empoli FC, and Milan fell behind early today when Dino Fava gave Udinese a second-minute lead. Udinese goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis then fouled Serginho in the area, but Andrea Pirlo hit the post with his penalty. Nestor Sensini extended the visitors' lead just after half-time with a header, and although Cafu pulled one back 20 minutes from the end, Kakha Kaladze's late sending-off confirmed Milan's 2-1 defeat.

Lecce hold Juve
Juventus FC left it late to draw 1-1 with US Lecce and join Milan on 30 points, although the reigning champions have played a game more. Lecce were on exuberant form, and Cedric Konan converted a 24th-minute cross to give his side the lead. The title-holders began to push for an equaliser, but lost Mark Iuliano to a red card on the hour after a second bookable offence. However, with just four minutes left, David Trezeguet latched on to Stephen Appiah's pass and shot in to equalise.

Lazio pip Inter
FC Internazionale missed the chance to overtake Milan and Juve as they were beaten 2-1 at S.S. Lazio in the late game. Christian Vieri gave Inter the advantage on the half-hour but Bernardo Corradi levelled two minutes before the interval. Inter lost Matías Almeyda to a red card on 68 minutes, and Lazio claimed the win eight minutes from time through Luciano Zauri to move level in fourth with their beaten visitors.

Ancona defeated
Neither Ancona Calcio nor AC Perugia could claim their first victory of the season at their 14th attempt. Bottom side Ancona lost 1-0 to AC Chievo Verona, Federico Cossato scoring on 39 minutes, and Milan Rapaic missing a second-half chance to equalise from the penalty spot.

Perugia frustration
Perugia led twice against Brescia Calcio, but were held 2-2. Massimo Margiotta's early strike was quickly cancelled out by Luigi Di Biagio, while Dario Dainelli's own goal was then equalised eleven minutes from time by Antonio Filippini. Fellow strugglers AC Siena and Bologna FC drew 0-0, while Modena FC gained a valuable point at UC Sampdoria as their game ended 1-1. Diomansy Kamara did put Modena ahead on 20 minutes, but Fabio Bazzani levelled just after the break.