EUROPEAN ROUNDUP: Christian Vieri netted twice to help Inter Milan climb to the top of the Serie A table last night, edging out Chievo to record their third successive win of the season.
Chievo looked capable of causing an upset as they swept into the lead after just two minutes when Massimo Marazzina shook off the challenges of Ivan Cordoba and Marco Materazzi to head past Francesco Toldo. But Inter hit back just 13 minutes later through Vieri, before the Italian international fired home the winner from the penalty spot 12 minutes from the end.
Hector Cuper's side head the standings on nine points ahead of Juventus and AC Milan, who both have seven points after they were held to draws by Parma and Lazio respectively on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Francesco Totti scored a hat-trick as AS Roma secured their first win of the season with a 3-2 victory at Brescia yesterday. Bologna, who ended Piacenza's winning start to the season are also on seven points in fourth. Benito Carbone claimed his first strike since returning to Italy from Bradford City with a 17th-minute penalty for Como against another promoted side Reggina. But the Lakesiders, who had lost their opening two matches, had to settle for a point.
In Spain, defending champions Valencia returned to the top of the Spanish first division after they strolled to a comfortable 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Mestalla yesterday. Striker Mista opened the scoring for Valencia and Ruben Baraja added a second from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime. Miguel Angel Angulo wrapped up the easy win with a fine curling free kick four minutes before time.
Previous leaders Celta Vigo lost their 100 per cent record and moved down to second place after an exciting 2-2 draw with unbeaten Malaga.
Free-scoring Real Sociedad continued their impressive start to the season and moved up to third after Russian midfielder Dimitri Khokhlov headed in a late winner to give his side a 3-2 win away to Osasuna.
Valencia, Celta and Sociedad all have 10 points, but last season's champions lead the table on goal difference.
Deportivo Coruna, who won 2-1 at Alaves on Saturday, lie in fourth place on nine points and Malaga are fifth a further point behind. Real Madrid and Real Betis, who both also played on Saturday, have seven points but a game in hand on their immediate rivals.
The reigning European champions were held 1-1 at Valladolid, while Betis claimed a sparkling 3-0 win over Barcelona in a match played at Huelva because of the Andalucian club's two-match stadium closure.
Meanwhile, Auxerre prepared for Arsenal's Champions League visit on Wednesday by going lone top of the French league after a 4-1 win away to Nantes.
Yann Lachuer scored two goals from midfield, supported by further strikes from Mwaruwari Benjani and Arnaud Gonzalez. Auxerre were helped clear when previous leaders Nice lost 1-0 to Sochaux.
