Juventus go top in Italy

MICHELE Padovano's seventh-minute header gave Juventus a 1-0 win over Fiorentina and top spot in Serie A.

The European champions are now one point clear of AC Milan, who beat Perugia 3-0.

George Weah scored less than two minutes after the kick-off and added his second in the 73rd minute. Roberto Baggio - in a new role as midfield substitute - then hit a curling free kick in the 79th as Milan took control, despite the sending-off of Croatian Zvonomir Boban in the second chaff.

Rivals Inter, held 1-1 at Atalanta, were left to rue Felippo, Inzaghi's equaliser five minutes from time.

Until Inzaghi's late blow, French international Youri Djorkaeff's 44th-minute strike looked like being enough.

In Spain, Barcelona fought back from 3-1 to snatch a thrilling but controversial 5-3 win away win against Real Zaragoza yesterday as they climbed to the top of the Spanish first division.

Another sparkling performance by Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who scored twice, and a hotly disputed penalty helped Bobby Robson's side to a victory over the 1995 European Cup Winners' Cup champions.

Zaragoza were later reduced to ten men when Xavier Aguado was dismissed, apparently for striking a Barcelona player, and a penalty was given from which Gheorghe Popescu equalised.

With Zaragoza down to 10 men, Luis Enrique Martinez broke through on the right to put his side ahead with a blistering shot and,, shortly afterwards, Ronaldo strolled through the defence to score his fifth goal of the league season.