All three clubs still in the hunt for the Italian first division title showed true grit yesterday with AS Roma's hard-fought 2-0 victory over Vicenza preserving their lead at the top of the table.

Their two challengers in the triangular battle for the Scudetto also showed resolve to preserve the status quo with Juventus 3-0 victors at home to AC Milan and Lazio 5-3 winners over 10-man Verona, staying six and eight points respectively behind the leaders.

Roma were uninspired for most of their match which was played at Udine because of the bad behaviour last week of Vicenza fans. But after 80 minutes substitute Vincenzo Montella, who had replaced Gabriel Batistuta, fired home and three minutes later Brazilian midfielder Emerson added a second.

Juventus took a firm grip on their home match with Milan after nine minutes when Croatian defender Igor Tudor powered home a header. Midway through the second period Filippo Inzaghi bagged the second and Zinedine Zidane wrapped it up with the third in injury time.

Lazio's Hernan Crespo scored a hat-trick in their victory, with Verona pushing the right to the finish despite having Martino Melis sent off.

In Spain a John Carew hat-trick gave Valencia a 3-1 victory over Villarreal in the Mediterranean derby yesterday and allowed them to close the gap on the top two in the first division.

Real Madrid lead on 52 points after their 2-2 draw with second placed Deportivo Coruna on Saturday. Deportivo trail by four points, with Valencia third on 45.

Fourth-placed Barcelona also gained ground as a well-taken double from Patrick Kluivert helped them to a 3-0 victory over struggling Real Sociedad.