Crespo strikes as Milan close in

By Paolo Corradini

An added-time winner from Hernán Crespo enabled AC Milan to defeat S.S. Lazio 2-1 on Sunday and close the gap on Serie A leaders Juventus FC to two points.

Spectacular leveller
Milan had trailed to Massimo Oddo's penalty eleven minutes into the second half after Jaap Stam brought down Tommaso Rocchi, but the defending champions got back into the game thanks to Andriy Shevchenko's spectacular 25-metre free-kick 19 minutes from time.

Rossoneri recovery
A draw looked on the cards as the clock ticked down but when Kaká struck the post four minutes into added time, Crespo was on hand to touch the ball into the empty net and secure all three points for the Rossoneri.

Century struck
Christian Vieri's 100th goal for FC Internazionale Milano preserved his side's unbeaten record in Serie A this season, rescuing a 2-2 draw away against Parma FC despite the dismissal of Marco Materazzi. It was Materazzi's deliberate handball which prevented Mark Bresciano taking the lead on 36 minutes. The Inter defender was promptly shown red and Fabio Henrique Simplicio converted the penalty.

Honours even
Alberto Gilardino's powerful strike on the hour put the home side further ahead but Inter fought back, claiming their 15th draw of the season thanks to Vieri's 82nd-minute penalty after an Iván Cordoba header had halved the deficit. Roberto Mancini's side are now eleven points behind leaders Juve.

Iaquinta heroics
Vincenzo Iaquinta was on target as Udinese Calcio earned a 1-0 away win against second-from-bottom Brescia Calcio to climb up to third but AS Roma squandered a golden opportunity to make up ground in the race for UEFA Champions League places. Vincenzo Montella's 18th goal of the season proved insufficient to give the Giallorossi victory against Bologna FC, for whom Luigi Della Rocca equalised in the second half.

Chiesa double
Reggina Calcio recovered from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 3-3 draw against AC Siena at the Granillo stadium, while Massimo Gobbi's goal and two from Mauro Esposito gave Cagliari Calcio a 3-1 win against US Lecce. A solitary Luigi Sala goal enabled bottom side Atalanta BC to defeat AS Livorno Calcio, and AC Chievo Verona moved seven points clear of the relegation zone after defeating FC Messina Peloro 1-0, Simone Tiribocchi's fifth goal of the season proving the difference.