Milan maintain title challenge

By Paolo Corradini

Crespo opener
With title rivals Juventus FC winning against Reggina Calcio on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti's side knew victory at the Stadio Olimpico was essential to keep pace at the top. However, despite controlling much of the match it was not until three minutes past the hour that the visitors broke through, Hernán Crespo heading in Kakha Kaladze's cross.

Pirlo conversion
Milan doubled their lead eight minutes later when Roma defender Christian Panucci handled Crespo's goalbound header and was sent off, Andrea Pirlo converting the resulting spot-kick. Roma ended the game with nine men after Francesco Totti's 90th-minute dismissal for kicking out at Massimo Ambrosini.

Adriano loss
Inter moved third after defeating ACF Fiorentina at the Guiseppe Meazza. Esteban Cambiasso broke the deadlock after 27 minutes but Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini restored parity five minutes before half-time, two minutes after Inter striker Adriano had been forced off with a knee injury. However, second-half goals from Juan Sebastián Verón and Iván Cordoba made the points safe for the home side, despite the Colombian defender putting through his own net three minutes from time.

Di Michele double
Udinese Calcio climbed to fourth after coming from behind against US Lecce, who took the lead through Alex Pinardi but then lost defender Souleymane Diamoutene for a second bookable offence ten minutes before the interval. Davide Di Michele equalised on 43 minutes and then scored Udinese's winning goal with a minute left.

Sampdoria slide
As a result UC Sampdoria slipped to fifth after losing 2-1 at home to bottom side Atalanta BC. Stephen Makinkwa gave the visitors a third-minute lead and, although Atalanta goalkeeper Alex Calderoni saved Francesco Flachi's penalty, Cristiano Doni's free-kick levelled matters on the half-hour. Atalanta's decisive goal came midway through the second half from the head of Cesare Natali.

Six-goal thrillers
Elsewhere, Parma FC came from behind three times to draw 3-3 against US Città di Palermo, while Nelson Abeijon's 90th-minute goal earned Cagliari Calcio a draw with AS Livorno Calcio, a match that also finished 3-3. Bologna FC drew 0-0 at FC Messina Peloro and AC Chievo Verona came from a goal down to defeat Brescia Calcio 3-1 thanks to Lorenzo D'Anna's spot-kick and two Sergio Pellissier goals.