ITALY: Inter Milan took their turn at the top in Serie A after a 3-2 win against Udinese yesterday while Juventus were grateful for a point from an exciting 2-2 Turin derby draw with Torino thanks to an 89th minute equaliser from substitute Enzo Maresca.
Inter and second-placed Roma, who beat Perugia 1-0 on Saturday, both have 49 points with third-placed Juventus a point behind.
Lazio and AC Milan ended their winless runs, while Bologna's 2-1 win at Verona allows them to move above Chievo into the fourth Champions League qualification spot.
Christian Vieri set Inter on their way with a 28th minute volley and a second half goal from Nicola Ventola doubled the advantage for Hector Cuper's side.
Roberto Muzzi pulled one back for Udinese in the 75th minute but Inter's Portuguese winger Sergio Conceicao restored the two goal advantage with a stunning strike before Giampiero Pinzi gave Inter a late scare with a fine shot a minute from time.
Juve took the lead in the 10th minute with the prolific David Trezeguet heading home a fine left-wing cross from Edgar Davids.
But Marco Ferrante put Toro on level terms in the 65th minute with an angled drive from the right.
Ten minutes from the end French midfielder Benoit Cauet looked to have given Torino a famous win but Juve piled on the pressure and Ciro Ferrara headed home a Lilian Thuram cross.
SPAIN: Ten-man Rayo Vallecano fought back from two goals behind to claim a vital 2-2 draw at fellow strugglers Real Sociedad yesterday.
Headed goals by Pablo Sanz and substitute Jon Perez Bolo saw the Madrid-based side level the game midway through the second half despite having leading striker Elvir Bolic sent off.
The draw moved Rayo up one place to 18th in the standings. Real Mallorca continued their miserable run as they slumped to a 4-0 home defeat against Sevilla and dropped one place to 19th.
Valencia stayed top of the table thanks to a 2-0 win over Barcelona on Saturday. Champions Real Madrid are just a point behind after a 3-1 win over Alaves.
