Ambrosini pounces to keep Milan out in front

Portuguese Manuel Rui Costa (R) of AC Milan in action with his teammate Jon Dahl Thomasson (C) and Lazio's Giuliano Giannicchedda during their Serie A football match at Olympic stadium in Rome.

AC Milan retained their five-point lead at the top of Italy's Serie A after defeating Lazio 1-0 at the Olympic stadium.

Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini scored the winner for the European champions 15 minutes from time, stooping low at the back post to head home Clarence Seedorf's right-wing cross.

Defeat was cruel on Lazio who dominated for long periods without finding the final touch to some impressive approach play, but they still managed to hold on to fourth place thanks to slip-ups from the teams directly below them and remain firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place next season.

Milan, who did little more than they had to in the capital, have 58 points from 23 matches played, five more than second-placed Roma, comfortable winners at Parma, and six more than reigning champions Juventus, who defeated Ancona in Turin.

Roma dented Parma's hopes of clinching a Champions League place next season with an impressive 4-1 victory in snowy Emilia Romagna, while three first-half goals gave Juventus an easy three points against the bottom club.

Inter Milan's Champions League aspirations suffered a setback after losing 3-1 to Brescia at the San Siro where angry home fans vented their anger at the team's performance by pelting the Inter players with missiles.

A first-half penalty from Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton gave Lecce a 1-0 win over Modena and saw the spirited Puglians pull further clear of the relegation zone, while Sampdoria kept up their push for a UEFA Cup place by defeating Chievo by the same scoreline in Genoa, where Aimo Diana grabbed the winner shortly after half-time.

AS Roma captain Francesco Tottti celebrates after scoring against Parma during their football match at Tardini stadium in Parma.

In the day's other action, Perugia won for only the second time this season with a 4-2 victory at home to Bologna as they try to retain their Serie A status.

Roma coach Fabio Capello singled out livewire striker Antonio Cassano for special praise, saying his equaliser on the stroke of half-time was crucial for the 2001 champions.

"It was important to go in level at the break on a psychological level and Antonio's goal came at a perfect time for us," he said. "Cassano is an extraordinary player, a unique talent. He has great technique and speed and is highly motivated."

Juventus coach Marcello Lippi said the race for the Scudetto was still very much open, despite trailing Milan by six points.

"It's important we maintain our challenge and then we will see what happens at the end of the season," he said.

"In the last few years the championship has been won by a team that has made up seven, eight, nine points. The title is open to those who have the belief."

Alberto Gilardino gave Parma the lead on the half hour at the Ennio Tardini stadium with a righted-foot shot, only for Cassano to level the scores after dribbling past Parma keeper Sebastien Frey.

Olivier Dacourt set up Emerson for Roma's second goal before Francesco Totti's magnificent free-kick gave the visitors a comfortable two-goal cushion.

Brazilian winger Amantino Mancini completed the destruction 13 minutes from time, snapping up the rebound after Frey had parried Francisco Lima's drive.

Juventus piled further misery on winless Ancona with a resounding victory at the Delle Alpi stadium.

Marcello Castellini (R) of Parma takles AS Roma's Amantino Faili Mancini (L) during their football match at Tardini stadium in Parma.

Argentine-born Mauro Camoranesi put Juve in front in the seventh minute with an angled shot before Fabrizio Miccoli swept home Marco Di Vaio's right-wing cross.

Juve put the game beyond doubt in first-half stoppage-time when Alessandro Del Piero beat Sergio Marco from close range.

On Saturday, Empoli gave themselves renewed hope of avoiding the drop with a 2-0 home win over Udinese at the Carlo Castellani stadium.

Empoli remain third from bottom, two points behind Siena and Reggina, who played out a goalless draw the same day.

Italian football league table after Sunday's matches (played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points):