Weah back in the goal business

Overseas football

Overseas football

RUPERT METCALF

Just back from Africa, George Weah wasted little time reminding his Italian fans of his talents with the opening goal in Milan's 3-1 win over Roma yesterday.

It took him just six minutes to convert Roberto Baggio's fine pass for his seventh goal of the season. Roma's Francesco Moriero equalised within a minute, but an own goal by the Brazilian defender Aldair, and a Christian Panucci header in the second half earned the home side a deserved win.

Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A to five points after second-placed Fiorentina endured a 0-0 draw at Cagliari. Parma joined Fiorentina on 38 points, but they needed an own goal from Alessandro Lamonica to beat Sampdoria.

A hat-trick within eight minutes from Giuseppe Signori helped Lazio secure a 4-3 victory over Bari at the Olympic stadium, which lifted the Roman side into fourth place. The international striker's treble took his season's tally to 13 and surpassed the former Swansea Town striker Giorgio Chinaglia's record of 77 goals for Lazio. Signori now has 79.

Juventus continued their ill-fated defence of the title with a 2-1 defeat at Vicenza. The champions' sixth defeat of the season was marred by the 90th-minute dismissal of their goalkeeper, Michelangelo Rampulla.

In the French Cup, seven First Division clubs suffered second-round exits in a weekend of giant-killing. Three clubs from the equivalent of the Third Division triumphed over top-flight teams, with Nimes beating St Etienne 3-1. Toulon, twice behind against Bordeaux (who sacked their coach, Slavo Muslin, last night), won 3-2 and Thouars reached the last 16 of the Cup for the first time when they beat Martigues 1-0.

n The former Italian international Roberto Donadoni is to join the United States' new professional league, due to kick off in April. The 35-year- old Milan player, a member of Italy's beaten 1994 World Cup final side, is to sign a two-year contract with the New York Metro Star Club.