ROME, 27 October 2003 — Juventus and AC Milan opened up a five-point gap at the top of Serie A yesterday with comfortable 2-0 wins over Brescia and Sampdoria.
Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had to save an early Roberto Baggio penalty to keep his side level but midfielder Pavel Nedved and striker David Trezeguet scored for the Italian champions before half-time in Turin.
Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko’s seventh goal in as many games wrapped up a comfortable win for Milan at promoted Sampdoria after his Danish strike partner Jon Dahl Tomasson had given them the lead just before the interval.
Juve and AC Milan have 19 points but later third-placed AS Roma (14) can close to within two points if they beat Inter Milan at the San Siro stadium.
With one win in six matches, Brescia began as underdogs at Turin’s Stadio delle Alpi but earned their fourth-minute penalty when defender Ciro Ferrara barged striker Andrea Caracciolo. Shevchenko consolidated his position as Serie A’s top scorer this season alongside Parma’s Brazilian striker Adriano, who scored in his side’s 3-0 victory over Modena.
Elsewhere, fifth-placed Lazio won 2-1 after a frantic final 10 minutes against Bologna. After a sterile first half Lazio coach Roberto Mancini brought on striker Simone Inzaghi. The decision paid off seven minutes from time as Inzaghi charged down a ball in the area and chipped it over Pagliuca.
Elsewhere, Udinese striker Dino Fava Passaro hit a hat trick in the 3-3 draw with Perugia. Bottom-placed Ancona remained without a win after a goalless draw against Reggina.
Henry Cracker Helps Arsenal Regain Top Spot
In London, a superbly struck free kick by Thierry Henry sent unbeaten Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League yesterday after a 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic
The France striker notched his 10th goal in all competitions this season with a 40th-minute equalizer after Paolo Di Canio had fired Charlton ahead from the penalty spot.
Arsenal, who have 24 points, are one point ahead of Chelsea with Manchester United, surprisingly beaten 3-1 at home by Fulham on Saturday, in third place on 22.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was happy to take home a point after conceding his side had not hit top gear at The Valley, where they had enjoyed 3-0 wins in the last two seasons “It was a difficult game. Charlton played very tight. They worked very hard and are a tough team to beat,” Wenger told Sky Sports television.”
