Ibrahimovic keeps Milan riding high in Serie A

European round-up/Seria A: Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it five goals in his last five league matches when he scored twice in a 2-1 win over basement club Ascoli. The result extended Inter's lead at the top of the division to 18 points.

Second-placed AS Roma were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Fiorentina, who had defender Dario Dainelli sent off in the first half. Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey produced a series of fine saves to salvage a point for his team.

Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini headed the winner in a 1-0 victory over Atalanta to keep his side's Champions League qualification hopes alive.

Third-placed Lazio beat Liverno 3-1 last night while Palermo, who are fourth, drew 1-1 with Sampdoria on Saturday.

Parma coach Claudio Ranieri celebrated his first league win in six games since taking charge of the relegation-battlers, when Andrea Gasbarroni scored in a 1-0 victory over Siena.

LA LIGA:Real Madrid made hard work of beating second-bottom Gimnastic 2-0 at home despite playing 84 minutes against 10 men in the Primera Liga yesterday.

The visitors had defender Cesar Navas sent off soon after the start but denied Real until substitute Robinho scored early in the second half.

Raul's header deflected off Nastic's David Garcia near the end to secure the win.

Real climbed to third on 48 points, five adrift of leaders Barcelona, who thumped Recreativo Huelva 4-0 away on Saturday.

Second-placed Sevilla are behind the leaders on goal difference after a 2-0 home win against Celta Vigo last night.

Goals from Frederic Kanoute and Alexander Kerzhakov handed the Andalucian side maximum points.

Valencia slip to fourth on 47 after their title challenge was dented with a 2-0 home defeat by Racing Santander on Saturday.

SCOTTISH PREMIER:Champions Celtic slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Falkirk yesterday in a game that featured red cards for Celtic's Stephen McManus and Carl Finnigan of Falkirk after a first-half incident.

Celtic's Craig Beattie missed a penalty after six minutes and seventh-placed Falkirk made the visitors pay when Steven Thomson scored with a header 10 minutes later.

Celtic have now lost consecutively to AC Milan, Rangers and Falkirk and failed to score in any of the games. They have 74 points from 31 matches. Rangers are second on 61 after their 3-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.