European Football: Parma take spotlight from Milan with late, late show

LIKE Manchester United, Parma left it late to secure the victory that took them to the top of Serie A, but that was the only similarity their 2-0 victory over Juventus last night had with the scintillating Maine Road derby.

A dour game only came to life seven minutes from time, when Gianfranco Zola's curving free-kick broke the deadlock, and Tomas Brolin made sure from the penalty spot three minutes from time.

Parma lead on goal difference from Milan, who occupied first place for five and a half hours after beating their city rivals Internazionale 2-1 at the San Siro.

Goals from the defender, Christian Panucci, his first for Milan, and Jean-Pierre Papin gave the champions their first win in five League fixtures.

Panucci headed Milan into a 35th-minute lead and soon after half-time confusion between Sergio Battistini and his goalkeeper, Walter Zenga, presented Papin with a simple second. Dennis Bergkamp, Inter's Dutch forward, was brought down for a 63rd-minute penalty which he converted.

Sampdoria were knocked off the top of the table thanks to a 2-1 home defeat by Cagliari, for whom Massimiliano Allegri and Gianfranco Matteoli, with a penalty, scored twice in a minute in the second half. Sampdoria's Mauro Bertarelli had given his side a third-minute lead, but their captain, Roberto Mancini, missed a late penalty and their veteran defender, Pietro Vierchowod, was sent off.

With Alen Boksic, just arrived from Marseille, making his debut, Lazio won 2-1 at Napoli thanks to a late winner from the penalty spot by Giuseppe Signori.

In Germany, Bayern Munich, still sulking after their midweek defeat by Norwich, suffered an unexpected 2-0 loss at Nuremberg, for whom Andre Golke and Hans Criens scored in each half. Eintracht Frankfurt lead the Bundesliga by a five-point margin following a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Seville replaced Valencia at the top of the Spanish League after a 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Valencia, who fell 2-0 at Sporting Gijon, slipped to fourth, behind Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna.