AC Milan and Inter Milan were the best performed teams of Serie A in Round three after 4-1 and 3-1 wins over Lazio and Torino respectively while Alberto Gilardino scored yet again for Fiorentina.

Gianluca Zambrotta and Kaka returned to form with cracking goals from outside the area against Lazio, who before this fixture were top of the Serie A ladder.

Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks but a 4-1 victory at home to high-flying Lazio ought to buy him time to get Milan away from the wrong end of the standings.

Although Lazio's Mauro Zarate cancelled out Clarence Seedorf's opener, the hosts ran away with it.

Gianluca Zambrotta restored their advantage before second-half strikes from Brazil internationals Alexandre Pato and Kaka enabled the home side to register their first win of the season.

Milan have some way to go, however, to reach the level of Inter, who were too strong for Torino.

The three-time defending champions, who are under the guidance of Jose Mourinho this season, cruised into a commanding lead thanks to goals from Marco Materazzi, Maicon and Zlatan Ibrahimovic with Elvis Abbruscato netting the home side's sole reply.

Juventus are the closest challengers to Inter - they trail the leaders on goal difference only - after a 1-0 win at Cagliari.

New recruit Amauri grabbed the only goal of the game for Claudio Ranieri's side six minutes before half-time.

Palermo are fourth at this early stage after edging past Genoa 2-1.

Edinson Cavani and Cesare Bovo scored for the hosts with Argentina striker Diego Milito netting a late consolation for Genoa.

Alberto Gilardino continued his recent fine form with the winner as Fiorentina beat Bologna 1-0 while Napoli finished with 10 men in their goalless draw at Udinese following the 73rd-minute dismissal of defender Fabiano Santacroce.

Lecce and Siena drew 1-1 - Daniele Ficagna putting Siena ahead seven minutes before half-time only for substitute Fabio Caserta to level matters 10 minutes after the restart.

Chievo's visit to Sampdoria also ended in stalemate.

Daniele Franceschini opened the scoring for Samp but Antonio Langella restored parity within two minutes.

On Sunday (AEST), Roma secured a much-needed first victory of the Serie A season with a 3-0 win over Reggina.

Christian Panucci opened the scoring for Luciano Spalletti's team on the stroke of half-time and Alberto Aquilani doubled the advantage six minutes after the interval.

Substitute Simone Perrotta put the icing on the cake for the Eternal City giants in the last minute.

Catania won 1-0 at Atalanta.

Michele Paolucci, who played for Atalanta last season, scored the only goal of the game in the 59th minute to earn all three points for the Sicilians.

PA Sport