European round-up: A rare goal from Luciano Zauri on his 100th appearance in Serie A completed a stirring fightback by Lazio, as they overcame 10-man Inter Milan last night to move level on points with their Milanese opponents in the Serie A table.
Christian Vieri took advantage of a goalkeeping error from Matteo Sereni to put Inter into the lead on the half-hour mark.
However, the hosts were back on level terms just before the break as Bernardo Corradi converted the equaliser to finish off a sweeping move.
Midway through the second half, Inter midfielder Matias Almeyda was sent off against his former club after a clash with Corradi, and Lazio pressed for a winner.
With eight minutes remaining the home side's numerical advantage eventually told when Zauri smashed home his first goal of the season to secure Lazio's fifth consecutive home league win.
Earlier, AC Milan - who had not been beaten in Serie A this season - slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to in-form Udinese.
Fellow big guns Juventus were held 1-1 at lowly Lecce which meant leaders AS Roma, 2-0 winners at Empoli on Saturday, stayed top with a healthy six-point advantage.
Udinese arrived at the San Siro stadium on the back of three consecutive league wins and dented Milan's hopes in the second minute when striker Dino Fava fired past Brazilian goalkeeper Dida from the edge of the area.
A clumsy challenge by Udinese goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis on Brazilian Serginho earned the home side a penalty, but midfielder Andrea Pirlo's usual composure deserted him and he pushed the ball against the post.
Udinese made it 2-0 six minutes after the interval when defender Nestor Sensini nodded Valerio Bertotto's powerful free-kick past Dida.
Milan's Brazilian winger Cafu pulled one back for the home side in the 70th minute, but the visitors withstood a period of late pressure to hold on for the win.
Real Madrid started shakily but finished in style to win 3-1 away to Real Mallorca yesterday and secure the league leadership in Spain going into the New Year.
Fernando Correa took advantage of a mistake from Francisco Pavon in the Real defence to put Mallorca ahead early on, but Raul headed the visitors back level in the first minute of injury time.
Ronaldo struck 10 minutes after the break with an eye-catching solo goal and Luis Figo wrapped up the win from the penalty spot after the Brazilian had been brought down in the box on another run towards goal.
Victory for Real gave them 39 points from 17 games and took them back two points ahead of Valencia, who had gone top overnight thanks to their 1-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday.
With the next round of league games scheduled for the weekend of January 3rd and 4th, Real will go into 2004 as Primera Liga leaders.
"This is the best Christmas present possible for the fans," said Real coach Carlos Queiroz. "We've made lots of effort and sacrifice and I'd like to congratulate the players. We've had a hard run, but this has made the effort worth while."
Deportivo Coruna stayed within striking distance of the top two with a 2-1 win at home to Espanyol that left them in third on 33 points.
Osasuna lost ground with a 1-0 defeat at home to Real Zaragoza, but they at least remain fourth with 27 points, ahead of Villarreal and Atletico Madrid on goal difference.
Philip Cocu rescued a point for struggling Barcelona in last night's game with Celta Vigo. The visitors took the lead through Jesuli after 16 minutes.
In France, Ligue 1 runaway leaders Monaco ended a nearperfect first half of the season on a low note when they lost 1-0 at Stade Rennes on Saturday.
It was the principality team's first loss since August 9th, when they lost at champions Olympique Lyon, and only their second defeat this season.
