ROME, 1 December 2003 — AS Roma and AC Milan leapfrogged Juventus to the top of Serie A yesterday with comfortable wins over Lecce and Modena respectively.
The victories lifted the two clubs to joint top on 27 points, one ahead of reigning Italian champions Juve, who suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, 3-1 at home to Inter Milan.
At the San Siro stadium Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko continued his stunning recent form, scoring both of his side’s goals in the 2-0 win to take his tally in Serie A this season to 12 in 11 matches.
Having guided Milan into the knockout rounds of the Champions League with a midweek winner against Ajax, the Ukraine international needed only 23 minutes before chesting down a loose ball in Modena’s area and firing low into the net.
The visitors pushed forward after the interval, but in the 67th minute Shevchenko doubled Milan’s advantage, latching on to a Rui Costa pass and slipping the ball past keeper Marco Ballotta.
Meanwhile, at Rome’s Olympic Stadium the home team clinically dismantled Lecce’s defenses 3-1 to record their fourth win in a row. Brazilian midfielder Mancini gave Roma the lead in the 18th minute, blasting Antonio Cassano’s lay-off into the bottom of the net, and big Norwegian striker John Carew muscled through to add a second just before half-time.
Francesco Totti wrapped up the result in the 78th minute with a sliding finish, before Ernesto Chevanton scored a consolation goal just before the whistle.
Elsewhere, Parma overpowered Chievo Verona 3-1 with goals by midfielders Domenico Morfeo and Marco Marchionni and an 80th-minute penalty converted by Italian Under-21 international Alberto Gilardino. The result lifted Parma above Lazio to fifth overall. Promoted Sampdoria continued to progress up the standings with their third win in four games — a 2-0 defeat of bottom-placed Ancona — to rise to seventh. Perugia, however, remain winless this season. The Umbrian side came from behind in their game against Empoli to draw 1-1, but failed to convert a first-half penalty.
Van der Sar Spikes Arsenal’s Guns
In London, Premier League leaders Arsenal were held to a 0-0 home draw by Fulham yesterday after an outstanding performance by visiting keeper Edwin Van der Sar.
A barrage of shots from Arsenal’s much-vaunted strike force, led by Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires in both halves were all dealt with by the unflappable Dutchman.
The result left Arsenal on 34 points, two ahead of second-placed Chelsea, who were taking on third-placed champions Manchester United (31) in the late kickoff at Stamford Bridge.
Fulham, who could have snatched an ill-deserved win on the break through French forward Steed Malbranque, moved up to fourth place on 22 points, ahead of Charlton Athletic on goal difference.
Ajax Beat Rivals Feyenoord to Restore Lead at the Top
In Amsterdam, Ajax restored their four-point lead over champions PSV Eindhoven when they beat archrivals Feyenoord 2-0 thanks to two early Rafael van der Vaart goals in the Dutch first division yesterday.
Ajax have 34 points from 13 matches. PSV are second after crushing bottom team Zwolle 4-0 on Saturday while Feyenoord are now 10 points off Ajax in fourth.
AZ Alkmaar are third eight points behind the leaders after a 1-1 draw at RKC Waalwijk.
Ajax skipper Van der Vaart opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a brilliant back-heel from a Nicolae Mitea cross.
He struck again seven minutes later after a defensive mix-up and Ajax then coasted to victory. AZ seemed on their way to a second consecutive defeat as Khalid Boulahrouz opened the scoring for RKC six minutes after the break.
