Thaindian News

Rome, Feb 2 (DPA) Serie A champions Inter Milan were held to 1-1 at home by lowly Torino but remained six points ahead of AC Milan.Milan, on 44 points from 22 games, late Sunday had Pato, Massimo Ambrosini and Kaka on target to beat Lazio 3-0 and leapfrog a lacklustre Juventus, who suffered a second straight defeat Saturday as Udinese edged them 3-2 at home.

In Rome, a very aggressive Lazio held Milan in their midfield early in the game but ran a major risk when Czech Marek Jankulowski forced a great close-range save from Fernando Muslera on seven minutes.

Argentine Mauro Zarate and striking mate Goran Pandev tried several breaks into Milan’s area but were always blocked as they failed to seek cooperation from team-mates.

Lazio missed their best chances when Macedonian Pandev fired high in the 35th minute after connecting with a low feed from Zarate, who one minute later had a dangerous break blocked by Christian Abbiati.

A ball lost in midfield, however, was deadly for Lazio in the 42nd minute as David Beckham stormed on the right flank and squared perfectly for Pato’s great volley.

Abbiati rescued Milan’s lead before the break, deflecting a nasty drive from Zarate, and captain Ambrosini doubled up in the 47th minute, nodding home a well-curled Beckham free kick.

The Devils’ goalkeeper made another save on a drive from Frenchman Mourad Meghni, while Muslera stopped two dangerous spurts from Brazilians Pato and Kaka, who hit a post on a further counter-attack break before scoring his side’s third goal.

Roma slowed their pursuit of fourth place, which qualifies for the Champions League, as bottom side Reggina held them to a 2-2 draw despite a brace from Chile’s David Pizzaro.

Genoa remained fourth after beating Palermo 1-0, Atalanta beat Catania 1-0, Chievo and Sampdoria drew 1-1, and 10-man Lecce won 2-1 at Siena despite the dismissal of Uruguay’s captain Guillermo Giacomazzi.