Roma tame Atalanta, Lazio go top

AS Roma gave their stuttering Serie A campaign a boost when they beat in-form Atalanta 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, while Mauro Zarate scored a brace as city rivals Lazio went top with a 3-1 win at Torino.

Roma defender Christian Panucci opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a shot that took a sharp deflection from Atalanta's Thomas Manfredini on the way into the net.

Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic swivelled to hammer in a deflected Jeremy Menez cross and make it 2-0 in the 32nd.

Last year's runners-up Roma, without several unfit regulars including captain Francesco Totti, resisted sustained pressure in the second half to claim a win that gives them seven points from five games.

Lazio have five points more after Goran Pandev set them on their way in Turin by driving a loose ball into the bottom corner on the half hour.

Argentine forward Zarate wrapped things up in the second half, rifling in from outside the box and converting a late penalty for his sixth goal in five games.

Torino, who finished the match with nine men after keeper Matteo Sereni was sent off for fouling Cristian Brocchi to concede the penalty and Francesco Pratali went for a second yellow, pulled one back with a stoppage-time Nicola Amoruso penalty.

Napoli are second with 11 points after they won 1-0 at Bologna with a German Denis goal three minutes from time.

Serie A champions Inter, who have 10 points, can regain the lead if they beat city rivals AC Milan in Sunday's late game.

AS Roma 2 Atalanta 0
Bologna 0 Napoli 1
Catania 1 Chievo 0
Lecce 2 Cagliari 0
Palermo 1 Reggina 0
Torino 1 Lazio 3
Udinese 2 Siena 1