Lazio choked by Shevchenko

By Paolo Corradini

Andriy Shevchenko scored twice in four minutes to help lift ten-man AC Milan seven places up the Serie A table into fifth by virtue of a 2-1 win against S.S. Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.

Ambrosini off
In a game which also saw eight yellow cards, Massimo Ambrosini was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Emanuele Filippini as Milan risked dropping points for the third time in four outings. But Shevchenko turned the match around after Fernando Couto had given the capital club a 37th-minute lead, scoring on 80 and 84 minutes. Lazio, who could have gone top with victory, are joined by Milan on seven points, three behind pacesetters Juventus FC.

Martins double
Earlier in the day, Milan's city rivals FC Internazionale Milano came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Parma FC at the San Siro, thanks to two goals from Obafemi Martins. Parma gained an early advantage when Alberto Gilardino acrobatically hooked a shot into the top corner but Inter's Nigerian forward restored parity midway through the second half. Marco Marchionni, Parma's 24-year-old midfield player, quickly put the visitors ahead but Martins struck again to claim a point with eight minutes left.

Lecce turnaround
US Lecce also came from behind, fighting back to beat visiting Cagliari Calcio 3-1 with goals from Marco Cassetti, Guillermo Giacomazzi and their joint-top scorer last season, Croatian Sasa Bjelanovic. Fabio Bazzani and Stefano Sacchetti registered as UC Sampdoria won 2-0 at ACF Fiorentina.

Controversial winner
Brescia Calcio recorded their first victory of the season, 2-1 at Udinese Calcio. The visitors' Andrea Caracciolo broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, Davide Di Michele levelled during the second half but Daniele Mannini scored the decisive goal while Udinese goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis lay injured. Udinese defender Marek Jankulovski and Brescia coach Gianni De Biasi were shown red cards.

Red mist
Luca Vigiani was on target as AS Livorno Calcio drew 1-1 against Atalanta BC, his 71st-minute goal cancelling out a Carmine Gautieri effort two minutes beforehand. Both teams were down to ten men by then, following the dismissals of Atalanta's 20-year-old forward Giampaolo Pazzini on the half-hour mark and 37-year-old Igor Protti for the home side 30 minutes later.

D'Anna denied
FC Messina Peloro were held to goalless draw against AC Chievo Verona as Messina goalkeeper Marco Storari saved Chievo captain Lorenzo D'Anna's penalty to enable both clubs to continue unbeaten starts to the campaign. The result was the same for AC Siena who were frustrated at home to undefeated Reggina Calcio.