Udinese overcame Milan with a lone goal by Antonio Di Natale, who has now scored seven goals in five games for the Bianconeri.

The Rossoneri started the game well, hogging most of the possession. But they simply could not translate it into a goal. Soon the hosts found their footing and began to play their game, as Antonio Floro Flores posed a question, to which Marco Storari had the answer.

The Zebrette took the lead after 22 minutes, when Mauricio Isla hit the post and the rebound was put away by Di Natale.

The home side managed to create most of the chances, while the Diavoli appeared to be content with keeping possession. After firing blanks for almost an hour, Ronaldinho was brought on to tip the scales.  But even the inconsistent Brazilian was unable to produce anything that could save the day for his club.

During the final few minutes of the game, Mathieu Flamini had to leave the pitch owing to a second booking, making the loss all the more miserable.

Udinese 1-0 Milan
Di Natale 22 (U)

Udinese: Handanovic; Isla (Basta 27), Coda, Domizzi, Lukovic; Inler, D’Agostino, Lodi (Sammarco 83); Pepe (Sanchez 77), Di Natale, Floro Flores

Milan: Storari; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Zambrotta; Gattuso (Abate 59), Pirlo, Flamini; Seedorf; Inzaghi (Huntelaar 73), Pato (Ronaldinho 59)

Ref: Banti

Sent off: Flamini 84 (M)

Siena and Chievo played out a dull goalless draw at the other Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Both sides cancelled each other out in a game where chances were few and far between.

Added time after the regular 90 minutes produced more exciting than anything that preceded during the two halves, as Sergio Pellissier capitalised on a free-kick and hit the post. Paul Constantin Codrea then hit a long range shot at the other end, which was saved by the post as well.

Both clubs walked away with a point to show for their efforts.

Siena 0-0 Chievo

Siena: Curci; Terzi (Rosi 72), Ficagna (Rossi 91), Brandao, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Codrea, Fini; Ghezzal; Calaiò (Jajalo 69), Maccarone

Chievo: Sorrentino; Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Iori, Bentivoglio (Marcolini 75); Pinzi; Pellissier (Ariatti 91), Bogdani (Granoche 77)

Ref: Stefanini

Football Italiano

Palermo held Roma to a 3-3 draw, but would have felt that they could have won the game.

Matteo Brighi got the go ahead goal after 20 minutes, when a pass by John Arne Riise took a detour off Francesco Totti, allowing the 28-year-old to hit the back of the net.

The pitch was difficult to play on, and eventually caused a mistake at the travellers’ end, which allowed Igor Budan to level the score.

Nicolas Burdisso gave the Lupi a lead to savour just before half time, but the Rosanero somehow managed to get back on par owing to a goal by Fabrizio Miccoli.

The hosts took the lead for the first time ten minutes into the second period, when Antonio Nocerino sent a stormy shot from the edge of the box, and into the goal.

As the visitors were staring at yet another forgettable result, the capital club were handed a lifeline when Rubinho was at the wrong end of a tackle, prompting the referee to rule against the goalkeeper, thereby awarding a penalty. ‘Er Pupone’ stepped up to the plate and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to earn a point for his side.

Palermo 3-3 Roma
Brighi 20 (R), Budan 40 (P), Burdisso 44 (R), Miccoli 45 (P), Nocerino 56 (P), Totti pen 88 (R)

Palermo: Rubinho; Cassani, Kjaer, Goian, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Cassani, Bresciano; Simplicio (Blasi 74); Budan (Mchdedlidze 76), Miccoli

Roma: Julio Sergio; Cassetti (Motta 61), Burdisso, Juan, Riise; Taddei, De Rossi, Pizarro (Okaka 80); Brighi (Faty 57); Totti, Vucinic

Ref: Rocchi