A freak own goal by Lazio defender Paolo Negro gave Italian first division leaders AS Roma a 1-0 victory in the Roman derby against the defending champions.
The goal came after 69 minutes when Lazio goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi made a half save from Cristiano Zanetti and Alessandro Nesta tried to put the ball behind for a corner. But the ball struck Negro and nestled in the back of the net to keep Roma six point clear.
Juventus had earlier ruthlessly dispatched 10-man Lecce 4-1 to confirm their status as the biggest challengers to Fabio Capello's side. Unfashionable Atalanta also kept pace with the leaders. The Bergamo minnows, level on points with Juventus in second, prevailed thanks to a late strike from Maurizio Ganz, sufficient for a 1-0 win at Bologna.
With AC Milan held 1-1 at Verona and Inter Milan escaping with a 0-0 draw at the San Siro against modest Brescia, it is Juventus and more surprisingly Atalanta who are emerging as the biggest threat from the traditional football power base of northern Italy to the leaders.
Verona gave AC Milan an early shock when Emiliano Bonazzoli fired home a rebound for his fifth goal of the season but Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini quickly levelled the match after 22 minuta header.
Parma were shocked 2-0 by visiting Vicenza with two second-half goals from striker Luca Toni.
In Saturday's two matches Napoli thrashed fellow strugglers Reggina 6-2 while 10-man Perugia trounced Bari 4-1.
