Overseas Football: Hassler hustles pale Parma

PARMA'S 2-0 defeat at the Olympic stadium, engineered by Roma's German international Thomas Hassler, allowed Milan a point clear at the top of Serie A by beating Torino 1-0 yesterday. Sampdoria had the chance to keep a share of the lead but drew with Genoa.

Parma hardly played like potential champions, and they rarely looked like improving on their poor record against Roma, one point from three matches.

Hassler swung a free-kick on to Antonio Comi's head for the first goal after 19 minutes, and after hitting the crossbar with another on the stroke of half- time, he picked out Massimiliano Cappioli with yet another free-kick 16 minutes from the end and he wrapped it up.

An opportunist goal volleyed in by Florin Raducioiu gave Milan a victory that lifted them to 21 points from 14 games. Sampdoria were stung by a first- minute goal from Genoa's Gennaro Ruotolo, but David Platt equalised and they hung on after having their captain, Roberto Mancini, sent off for a foul.

Deportivo La Coruna edged a point clear of Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league, where the significant action took place on Saturday night. A last- minute strike by the Brazilian Bebeto gave La Coruna the points against Racing Santander, while Barcelona needed a Ronald Koeman penalty early in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw with Logrones.