Roma lead Serie A

MILAN, JANUARY 7: Reigning champions AS Roma lead Serie A at the halfway point after they beat Torino 1-0 on Sunday while rivals Inter Milan were held to a goalless draw by Lazio.

But Juventus and Chievo Verona kept up the pressure with victories of their own on Sunday. Roma are top with 36 points, one more than Inter, while third-placed Chievo are on 32 points but have a game in hand. Chievo came from behind for a 2-1 win at Atalanta while Juve are fourth after three first-half goals gave them a comfortable win over Udinese. With first-choice strikers Gabriel Batistuta and Vincenzo Montella still sidelined, Roma lacked punch in attack against lowly Torino. But not for the first time the individual skill of captain Francesco Totti made the difference for Roma. Totti grabbed the only goal of the game in the 24th minute with a fine solo effort, producing a Ferenc Puskas-style drag-back as he rounded Torino goalkeeper Luca Bucci and slotted home. But Torino put Fabio Capello’s side under plenty of pressure after the break and Roma had keeper Ivan Pelizzoli to thank for a fine save which foiled Fabio Galante in injury time. (Reuters)

Valencia climb to third place

MADRID: Valencia moved into third place in the Spanish First Division with a 3-1 win at Real Betis on Sunday, while Barcelona returned from the Christmas break with an impressive 2-0 home win over Real Zaragoza.

Goals from Salva Ballesta, Adrian Ilie and a Ruben Baraja penalty gave Valencia victory in an untidy game that saw both sides finish a man short. The result moved Valencia from seventh place to third, as they leapfrogged above Betis and took advantage of surprise home defeats for Basque sides Athletic Bilbao and Alaves. Real Madrid claimed top spot with 35 points at the season’s halfway point -- giving them the honorary title of winter champions -- thanks to a 3-1 win over Deportivo Coruna at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Depor slip to second on 33 points, ahead of Valencia on goal difference. (Reuters)