GEORGE WEAH'S first minute goal was enough for Milan to see off Atalanta 1-0 yesterday and keep the league leaders five points clear of Fiorentina who won their second place showdown with Parma in Florence.
The Liberian, showing the strength and skill which made him world, European and African Footballer of the Year, held off two challenges before claiming his second goal in successive matches since returning from African Nations' Cup duty.
The result, marred by the 89th minute dismissal of defender Christian Pannucci, left Milan with 46 points from 21 matches. Fiorentina are five points adrift on 41 with Parma eight points off the pace.
Milan's victory had briefly opened a commanding eight point gap at the top but Fiorentina kept the league leaders within their sights thanks to their 1-0 victory over Parma in an evening match.
Lorenzo Amoruso scored the deciding goal in the 25th minute pouncing on goalkeeper Luca Bucci's mistake in failing to hold Argentine Gabriele Batistuta's 30 metre free kick.
Parma pressed hard for an equaliser and Francesco Toldo made a superb save from Roberto Mussi in 36th minute.
But fine second half saves by Bucci from Batistuta and Portugal's Rui Costa underlined Fiorentina's superior teamwork as they installed themselves ahead of Parma as Milan's main rivals.
Cagliari's veteran manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, who won seven league titles with Juventus in the 1980s, made an unhappy return to Turin.
He watched his new side tumble to their fourth successive away defeat - a 4-1 humiliation in which the champions at last showed signs of their 1994-95 form.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)