Juve keep distance over Milan after 3-1 win

Champions Juventus maintained their five-point lead in Serie A with goals from Adrian Mutu, David Trezeguet and substitute Alessandro Del Piero giving them a 3-1 home win over Treviso yesterday.

Treviso had taken the lead through Francesco Parravicini before Fabio Capello's side took control.

Juve are on 36 points from 13 matches with second-placed Milan, who beat Lecce 2-1 on Saturday, on 31 points and third-placed Fiorentina on 29 points after they drew 1-1 at Roma.

Roma took the lead in the second minute through Damiano Tommasi, starting his first game for over a year, but Fiorentina equalised through a Luca Toni penalty in the 67th minute.

Uruguayan Alvaro Recoba and Argentine Esteban Cambiasso were on target for Inter in their 2-1 win at Messina while Udinese enjoyed a 2-1 victory at Parma.

Lazio came from behind to win 3-2 at Empoli while Cagliari picked up their first victory of the campaign with a 2-0 win over Sampdoria - both goals coming from Honduran striker David Suazo.

Parravicini gave Juve a shock in the 25th minute, firing home a low shot past Christian Abbiati after good work down the right flank from Francesco Galeoto.

Juve drew level 12 minutes later through Romanian Mutu, operating on the left flank, who turned in a low cross from Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Just before the break Trezeguet put Juve ahead, intercepting a low shot from Giorgio Chiellini and slotting home to give the home side the advantage at the interval.

Juve were never in danger from then on and Del Piero made it 3-1, eight minutes from the end, from close range after another fine cross from Ibrahimovic.

Good start

Inter got off to a good start in Sicily with Recoba volleying home a perfectly weighted cross from Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic and they could have had another in the 29th minute when Brazilian striker Adriano missed a simple chance - heading wide from close range.

The second goal had to wait for another half hour - Cambiasso producing a slick control and finish after a strong header down from Colombian defender Ivan Cordoba.

Arturo Di Napoli pulled one back for Messina in the 72nd minute.

Roma - and the injury-plagued Tommasi in particular - made the perfect start when Antonio Cassano, back in the side despite his continuing dispute over a contract renewal, slipped the ball across the face of the goal and Tommasi slotted home.

It was a much brighter and more unified Roma but Fiorentina drew level when substitute Giampaolo Pazzini was brought down by French defender Philippe Mexes who was sent off.

Toni confidently converted his 16th goal of the season but, despite having 23 minutes with an extra man, Fiorentina were unable to press home their advantage and had to settle for a point which leaves them seven behind leaders Juve.

Serie A

Ascoli 1
Palermo 1

Cagliari 2
Sampdoria 0

Empoli 2
Lazio 3

Juventus 3
Treviso 1

Messina 1
Inter 2

Parma 1
Udinese 2

Roma 1
Fiorentina 1

Siena 0
Reggina 0

Played On Saturday

Livorno 0
Chievo 0

Milan 2
Lecce 1

Top Scorers

16 goals Toni (Fiorentina)

10 goals Trezeguet (Juventus)

9 goals Tavano (Empoli)

8 goals Chiesa (Siena), Bonazzoli (Sampdoria), Gilardino (Milan)

Next Fixtures

Saturday: 6 p.m. Chievo vs Milan; 8.30 p.m. Inter vs Ascoli.

Sunday: 3 p.m. Fiorentina vs Juventus; Lazio vs Siena; Palermo vs Cagliari; Reggina vs Parma; Sampdoria vs Empoli; Treviso vs Messina; Udinese vs Livorno. 8.30 p.m. Lecce vs Roma.

Serie B

Cremonese vs Vicenza 2-3
Verona vs Catania today

Serie C1(A)

Fermana vs Cittadella 0-1
Genoa vs Lumezzane 1-0
Giulianova vs Pavia 1-1
Padova vs Monza 2-1

Pizzighettone vs Spezia 1-1
Pro Patria vs Novara 1-1
Pro Sesto vs Samb. postponed
Ravenna vs Salernitana 1-1
San Marino vs Teramo today

Leading standings: Genoa 28; Padova, Spezia 22; Pizzighettone 21; Pavia 20; Monza 19; Giulianova, Teramo 18; Cittadella 17.

Serie C1(B)

Acireale vs Pisa 0-0
Chieti vs Sangiovannese 0-1
Gela vs Perugia 1-0
Grosseto vs Massese 1-0
Lucchese vs Martina 2-1

Manfredonia vs Lanciano 1-3
Napoli vs Foggia 2-2
Pistoiese vs Frosinone 0-1
Torres vs Juve Stabia 1-1

Leading standings: Napoli 29; Sangiovannese 24; Frosinone 23; Gela, Grosseto, Lanciano 21; Perugia 20; Massese, Torres 17.