Second-half strikes spur Milan

By Paolo Corradini

Three second-half goals gave AC Milan a home win against Atalanta BC that moved the Rossoneri within two points of Serie A leaders Juventus FC.

Delayed breakthrough
With the Turin team playing AS Roma on Thursday night, Carlo Ancelotti's side went into tonight's game against the bottom club looking to cut Juve's five-point advantage, but were frustrated by their visitors as the match remained goalless at half-time. However, Jon Dahl Tomasson broke the deadlock early in the second period, with Kakha Kaladze and Serginho getting further goals to seal the points.

Lecce fightback
US Lecce came from behind to hold FC Internazionale Milano to a 2-2 draw, but still dropped to third place. Adriano and Obafemi Martins were on target in quick succession during the first half to give Inter a 2-0 advantage, but the hosts hit back and Valeri Bojinov scored twice to earn a point.

Cagliari cheer
Elsewhere, Christian Manfredini and Claudio De Sousa were on target as S.S. Lazio claimed their first home win of the season against FC Messina Peloro. Meanwhile, Cagliari Calcio went fourth after goals from Nelson Abeijon and Mauro Esposito - either side of Marco Marchionni's effort - secured a 2-1 home success against Parma FC. Parma played the entire second half with ten men as Paolo Cannavaro was sent off three minutes before the interval.

Livorno lift
AC Livorno Calcio came from behind to defeat US Città di Palermo, Massimo Mutarelli giving the home team the lead. However, strikes from José Luis Da Cruz Vidigal and captain Cristiano Lucarelli earned the visitors a valuable victory.

Sampdoria success
Sergio Volpi and Aimo Diana registered as UC Sampdoria prevailed 2-0 at AC Chievo Verona. ACF Fiorentina's caretaker coach Sergio Buso took three vital points at Reggina Calcio, the away side recovering from the setback of Carlos Humberto Paredes's goal to secure a first away win of the season with Enzo Maresca and Fabrizio Miccoli the scorers.

Narrow wins
Finally, Dino Fava's header gave Udinese Calcio the spoils at Bologna FC while AC Siena's Fabio Pecchia scored the only goal in his club's away win at Brescia Calcio.