MILAN, 27 September 2004 — Inter Milan’s sluggish start to the Serie A season continued as they needed two goals from substitute Obafemi Martins to secure a 2-2 home draw with Parma yesterday. Leaders Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Palermo on Saturday, when AS Roma slumped to a 3-1 defeat by Bologna.

Inter trailed to a superb volley from Parma’s Alberto Gilardino before Martins equalized in the 72nd minute, converting a cross from Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde.

Parma restored their lead just two minutes later through Marco Marchionni, only for Martins to strike again with a fine left-foot shot to give Roberto Mancini’s side their third draw in the opening four games of the campaign.

Lecce’s impressive start continued with a 3-1 win over Cagliari, moving them into second place alongside Messina who were held to a goalless draw at home to Chievo Verona.

There was bitter controversy at Udine where Brescia won 2-1 with a 76th-minute goal from Daniele Mannini. Udinese goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis was lying on the ground with an injury when Mannini chipped the ball into the unguarded goal from 25 meters out.

Furious Udinese players protested to the referee and clashed with their opponents and in the chaos Udinese’s Czech midfielder Marek Jankulovski was sent off and Brescia coach Giovanni De Biasi was also red-carded.

Cahill Gets Late Winner for Everton

Australia midfielder Tim Cahill headed a late winner as Everton continued their surprising run of Premier League form with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth yesterday.

Cahill nodded home a Lee Carsley free kick after 80 minutes as Everton clocked up a third consecutive 1-0 league win. The Australian, who was sent off after lifting his shirt over his head as he celebrated his winner against Manchester City, kept his cool after scoring at Fratton Park.

Tipped before the season as relegation candidates, Everton stayed third in the table but moved on to 16 points as David Moyes’s men continue to make light of last month’s sale of teenage England striker Wayne Rooney to Manchester United.

Valencia Score 2-0 Win Over Racing

Champions Valencia continued their impressive start to the Primera Liga season with an emphatic 2-0 victory over 10-man Racing Santander yesterday.

Valencia’s fourth win in five games put them three points clear at the top of the table, although Barcelona can join them with victory at Real Mallorca.

Real Zaragoza bounced back from a 4-1 defeat at Barcelona when they twice came from behind to claim a highly entertaining 4-3 win over Levante.