Roma secure their first win of the new season

Italian champions AS Roma grabbed their first win of the season when an 87th-minute diving-header from Christian Panucci enabled…

Italian champions AS Roma grabbed their first win of the season when an 87th-minute diving-header from Christian Panucci enabled them to beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Serie A yesterday.

Fiorentina had taken an early lead through a Daniele Adani header before Francesco Totti pulled Roma level with a 12th-minute penalty.

Inter Milan won 1-0 at Torino, and AC Milan cruised to a 2-0 win over Lazio in the late match, allowing both Milan clubs to move level with leaders Juventus on 10 points.

Parma also notched their first victory of the campaign, with an 87th-minute goal from Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata giving them a 1-0 win over Brescia, while Serie A newcomers Chievo continued their impressive start with a 4-2 win over Piacenza.

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Juventus drew 0-0 at Lecce on Saturday.

Having drawn two and lost one of their opening three games to their title defence, Fabio Capello's Roma were desperate for victory against troubled Fiorentina.

But within eight minutes Roma were trailing when Fiorentina defender Adani rose well at the back-post to head home a corner and put the Florence club ahead.

Roma equalised just four minutes later when Vincenzo Montella was judged to have been brought down by Emiliano Moretti - a debatable decision - and Totti converted the penalty.

It looked as though Roma were going to be frustrated yet again as out-of-form Argentine Gabriel Batistuta missed a great chance and then Totti hit the cross-bar.

But with just three minutes left on the clock, Brazilian Assuncao floated over a cross from the left and defender Panucci, a recent loan signing from Monaco, flung himself at the ball to head past Giuseppe Taglialatela.

Late goals in each half from Edu and Catanha saw unbeaten Celta Vigo pick up their third Primera Liga win at the expense of Real Mallorca and move top of the table. Edu's close-range header in the 41st minute following a cross from Alexander Mostovoi put in-form Celta deservedly ahead at the break.

But Catanha's clincher six minutes from time came against the run of play after Champions League participants Mallorca had fought back well in the second half.

Catanha struck after the impressive Mostovoi had seen his thumping effort come back off Miki's crossbar.

Valencia were denied a win at Athletic Bilbao as Carlos Garcia capped a stirring Bilbao fightback with a last-minute equaliser.

He scrambled the ball home after Tiko drove in a 35-yard free kick which keeper Santiago Canizares could only parry out to Inigo Larrainzar, who fed Carlos Garcia.

Real Betis moved third after Fernando Varela and Denilson scored to give the Andalucians victory over Real Valladolid on an off-night for both sides at the Jose Zorilla stadium.