Another Riccardo Zampagna stunner gave Atalanta a crucial victory to take them up to second place in Serie A, dooming Lazio to their first defeat.
Lazio had entered the game after 4 draws, including a Champions' League draw midweek. Fans were beginning to moan about conservative (boring) tactics, and a win was needed.
Atalanta hadn't beaten Lazio since 1997 but started brightly with Diego De Ascentis setting up an early strike from Riccardo Zampagna, while former Atalanta hitman Stephen Makinwa's cross found Stefano Mauri for a low volley that skimmed the uprightt.
Atalanta broke the deadlock just before half-time. Ferreira Pinto pushed down the right flank and lifted his cross to the back post for a precise Antonio Langella header between the upright and Fernando Muslera. On 62 minutes Langella nearly scored a second, but the acrobatic left-foot strike cannoned off the crossbar.
But Lazio equalised with substitute Massimo Mutarelli, as the Atalanta defence was caught napping on a Pandev cross and he was ready to tap in at the back post undisturbed. Pellegrino's header was saved and a Simone Inzaghi strike was deflected round the post. A fifth draw for the Biancoceleste?
Just as Lazio were pouring forward, Zampagna struck deep into stoppages to restore Atalanta's lead. A long goal kick went straight over Guglielmo Stendardo and Zampagna showed his incredible feel for the goal by flicking it over Muslera in acrobatic fashion.
Cagliari 0 Palermo 1
Cristian Zaccardo's volley gave Palermo a second consecutive away victory - their first ever on Sardinian soil. The home side were determined to maintain this record, and D'Agostino cut through the defence to fire over the bar in the opening minutes, while Foggia's free kick was tipped off target by Alberto Fontana.
Despite the pressure, Palermo took the lead with their first real chance. Giulio Migliaccio's cross found Cristian Zaccardo totally unmarked at the back post for a low volley with the inside of his left foot.
Fortin was also tested by a Fabrizio Miccoli volley, but straight after the restart Cagliari threatened with Larrivey skipping past Leandro Rinaudo only to drill past the near post.
Fabio Simplicio and Daniele Conti wasted the chance to net, as both went for glory rather than passing to an unmarked teammate.
Miccoli and Aimo Diana combined for Bresciano to fire wide. Just two minutes from time Diana's cross found Bresciano at the back post, but once again his aim was off target.
Incredibly, Australian international Bresciano missed another great opportunity moments later, this time set up by Edison Cavani. Wasted chances, dropped points and a home defeat for a team who many have tipped to drop to Serie B after this season.
Catania 0 Fiorentina 1
Adrian Mutu's early header and a series of Sebastien Frey saves proved enough to give Fiorentina victory in Sicily.
Fiorentina were looking for their first win since the opening round, and the Sicilians were still without a victory, and their Coach Silvio Baldini who continued to sit out his touchline ban for kicking Parma boss Domenico Di Carlo.
After just three minutes they went very close with Ciro Polito fingertipping an Adrian Mutu close-range effort round the upright. From the resulting corner kick, Mutu rose above the defence to nod in the opening free header. Mutu's free kick was tipped out from under the crossbar, but the Sicilians finally fought back with Sebastien Frey blocking a Martinez effort and Vargas aiming a couple of strikes from distance.
After the break Frey fingertipped a Giovanni Tedesco cross-shot over the bar, while Giuseppe Mascara's header was caught by the keeper. Frey was kept busy in the second half and beat away another powerful Mascara volley into the ground, then flapped Mascara's header off the line.
Catania's hopes of getting back into the game were hit hard when captain Davide Baiocco was sent off for dissent.
Christian Vieri came on and had the opportunity to put the result beyond doubt, but twice failed to slot past Polito.
Empoli 0 Napoli 0
Newly promoted Napoli have had a sensational start to the season, including a 5-0 win at Udinese and last week's victory over Sampdoria. Empoli may have won in the UEFA Cup midweek with a reserve side, but in Serie A they are stuttering with just one point so far.
Napoli started brightly with Ezequiel Lavezzi's attempt across the face of goal and Marcelo Zalayeta had a decent penalty shout when his legs were tangled by Daniele Adani.
Napoli reserve goalkeeper Gianello did well in his rare first team performance, parrying a Sebastian Giovinco rocket that bounced right in front of him, but Saudati was unable to turn in the loose ball.
Napoli were furious when the referee did not play the advantage, as Lavezzi had shrugged off a foul and was one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Mere seconds after the restart the visitors had a great scoring opportunity with Balli managing to beat away a Zalayeta chest and half-volley from six yards, set up by Savini. Marek Hamsik's left-foot strike skimmed the upright, but Empoli came out of their shell and Gianello had his palms stung by a screamer from Giacomazzi.
Napoli will be happier - another point and more critics defied.
Livorno 2 Inter 2
Inter had Douglas Maicon sent off and were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Livorno, as even Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace could not completely hide their defensive problems.
Both teams faced a tough game: Livorno bottom of the league and shipping goals, Inter roundly criticised after being outplayed in the Champions' League midweek.
Cristian Chivu, Marco Materazzi and Patrick Vieira remained sidelined, while the home side had Jose Luis Vidigal suspended, so Adriano got another chance to start alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Livorno got off to an incredible start, as within the first 58 seconds a long ball went over Ivan Cordoba and De Vezze burst through the distracted defence, his scuffed shot into the ground bouncing over Julio Cesar.
There was chaos in the Livorno area on 25 minutes with three consecutive goalline clearances and the post denying Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti and Adriano.
The pressure eventually paid off on 35 minutes when Douglas Maicon took advantage of a lucky ricochet and rolled across for Ibrahimovic's powerful strike from nine yards.
The referee awarded a penalty for Livorno on the hour mark when Luis Jimenez pushed Nico Pulzetti as he rose to turn in a Diamanti cross from the left. Loviso stepped up and sent Julio Cesar the wrong way with his second goal of the season - the other was against Juventus.
Soon after Inter also received a penalty, as substitute Rezaei was adjudged to have brought down Ibrahimovic within seconds of stepping on to the field. Ibra took the kick himself and placed it just past Amelia's outstretched hand.
Inter lost their heads, though, as Maicon was shown a straight red card for a pointless kick out at Erjon Bogdani when the Livorno man was already on the ground. Poor result for Inter, a vital point and confidence boost for Livorno. Can Inter become more than the sum of their parts? We shall see.
Milan 1 Parma 1
Without Parmalat's millions many feared for Parma, but this was a very creditable draw. Milan will be disappointed with their third league draw in a row.
Pippo Inzaghi just failed to get on the end of a Massimo Oddo cross, then an Andrea Pirlo free kick also skimmed the head of SuperPippo. Kaka went flying down the right flank between a group of defenders and cut back for Inzaghi's shot at the goalkeeper, which was incorrectly flagged offside. Great start, but still 0-0.
There was a scare for Milan, as Andrea Pisanu threaded through for Corradi and former Parma star Daniele Bonera's sliding tackle closed him down. The move continued and Nelson Dida plucked a looping Corradi header out of the air.
Moments later a spectacular Pisanu chest and volley from the edge of the box stung Dida's palms and Corradi was offside when he pounced on the loose ball.
Inzaghi was very unlucky not to break through, as a Massimo Ambrosini ball flicked over the defence was volleyed on to the upright from six yards. Alessandro Nesta surprisingly scored last week against Siena and nearly did it again with another fine volley, but it was accidentally cleared off the line by teammate Bonera.
Milan eventually took the lead after a goalmouth scramble…the ball eventually going in off Seedorf's shin.
Dida's howler handed Siena a point last week and he almost gave Parma an immediately equaliser in first half stoppages. He pushed a cross straight into the path of Stefano Morrone, but the Gialloblu midfielder slipped at the crucial moment and failed to make contact, with an empty net gaping.
Ambrosini crossed for an Oddo volley, but Parma drew level with a fine team move on 73 minutes. Brazilian starlet Reginaldo skipped past Nesta on the left flank with some delightful footwork and crossed low for Pisanu to tap in between two defenders from six yards.
Parma had another great chance on 87 minutes, as Fernando Couto was effectively playing as a centre-forward and turned a free header off target. Moments later they went even closer, as Corradi got to the byline and cut back for Reginaldo, but the ball was behind him.
Deep into stoppages a long move with Pirlo's chip over the defence saw Emerson's effort charged down and Gilardino's reflex volley parried by a desperate Pavarini. Milan won in the Champions' League, but still can't win in the league, and they might need to start soon.
Roma 2 Juventus 2
Alessandro Del Piero missed a penalty, but Vincenzo Iaquinta's last-gasp header earned Juve a point in their hardest game since returning to Serie A.
After three rounds Roma were the only side with a 100 per cent record and yet to concede a goal, while the Champions League victory over Dynamo Kiev further boosted their confidence.
Juve needed a result after their 1-0 home defeat to Udinese to prove they were title material. Zdenek Grygera made his debut. Claudio Ranieri really went for it, fielding Vincenzo Iaquinta, David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero in a trident attack. Antonio Nocerino played less than a week after he was hit by a car in Turin city centre - brave man!
Roma had the first real chance when Marco Cassetti's strike, set up by Francesco Totti, was fingertipped past the far post by a splendid Gigi Buffon save, and ironically it was Trezeguet who broke through with his 100th Serie A goal. The front three combined with Del Piero spreading the play to the right for Iaquinta and the chipped cross in for Trezeguet's header at the near post.
Roma drew level with their talismanic captain. He had his back to goal, flicked up Mancini's pass to go round Domenico Criscito and opened up his foot to fire into the far corner.
Within six minutes the game had been turned around completely. Mancini chested down Cicinho's long pass and put it in for Alberto Aquilani. Buffon performed an incredible point-blank save, but could do nothing on Totti's follow-up.
Pavel Nedved was brought down by Cicinho in the penalty area five minutes into the second period. Del Piero stepped up only to balloon the spot-kick well over the bar - not good when contract talks are due to start!
Moments later Roma had a great chance to make it 3-1, but Simone Perrotta failed to convert it from close range. During that move Juve's Jorge Andrade picked up an injury and made way for Alessandro Birindelli.
Buffon performed a stunning double save on Totti's missile of a free kick and the follow-up from Aquilani. The saves proved crucial as it was Juventus who equalised three minutes from time at the Stadio Olimpico. Iaquinta, who had not been expected to start this game, got in front of Cicinho to head a long Chiellini throw-in looping backwards into the far top
Sampdoria 0 Genoa 0
A Serie A 'derby of the lanterns' - always colourful, always passionate. But sadly two teams terrified of losing cancelled each other out in an ill-tempered encounter.
The derby finally returned to the top flight after 12 years and the atmosphere at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris was electrifying. It meant everything to Genoa, who had scored only once so far this season despite such high hopes for the campaign.
The last time this tie was played in Serie A was Sampdoria's 3-2 win on December 4, 1994, but Genoa had not won it since 1990. The first real chance came after 14 minutes when the defence only cleared as far as Claudio Bellucci, whose right-foot strike from the edge of the area was palmed out by Rubinho.
Sampdoria had a great chance on 34 minutes, as once again the Rossoblu clearance was ineffective and Gennaro Delvecchio smacked the volley from just inside the area that skimmed inches wide of the far post.
Moments later Genoa went close and Marco Di Vaio hit the back of the net with a splendid backheel, but the offside flag had already been raised, then a fine Omar Milanetto volley from distance flashed across the face of goal just before half-time.
The game was marked out by blood, guts and drama rather than skill: on 65 minutes Angelo Palombo's through ball sent Bellucci clear and Rubinho bravely rushed out to pluck it off his feet. The Genoa goalkeeper got a kick in the face and medical staff urgently asked for a stretcher, as he seemed barely conscious. Bellucci could probably have avoided contact if he had jumped and was already on a yellow card but the referee chose not to show a second yellow. Then the medical staff were called on again as Leon got Montella's elbow in the face and lost a lot of blood.
On 71 minutes Montella combined brilliantly with Bellucci inside the area and L'Aeroplanino was one-on-one, but substitute goalkeeper Alessio Scarpi held his ground and smothered the shot from point-blank range.
Cassano recovered in record time from a thigh strain and made his Sampdoria debut for the final 15 minutes in place of Montella, but the ex-Roma veteran was visibly unhappy about the substitution. The youngster, already a veteran of many famous clubs, could not make an impact as the game closed in stalemate.
Torino 1 Siena 1
Il Granita had high hopes for this season but they'll need to do better than this to please their fans, and finish in a European position. Siena can consider themselves unlucky as Massimo Maccarone saw two penalties saved by Matteo Sereni, but still earned a point in Turin.
Both sides were looking for their first win of the campaign, although Toro were still unbeaten. Siena's confidence was boosted by a 1-1 draw with Milan, although Mario Frick saw red in that game and was suspended. Last year the visitors won here 2-1 - so far the only time these teams have met in Serie A.
A corner kick for Torino took a few touches before it found Paolo Hernan Dellafiore from six yards and Eleftheropoulos parried the shot, but only after it had crossed the line. The referee and linesman did well to spot it amidst furious claims from Siena that the ball hadn't crossed the line.
Siena were awarded a penalty as Massimo Maccarone was wrestled to the ground by Cesare Natali. The former Middlesbrough man took the spot-kick himself and fired it straight at Matteo Sereni. Maccarone's confidence may have been hit, as soon after his free header was off target and then his close-range attempt was kept out by Sereni's foot.
After the break Maccarone was again brought down by Natali and once more his penalty was parried by Sereni, but this time he was quick to get hold of the loose ball and tap in Siena's equaliser.
Paul Codrea left Siena with 10 men for the final stages, as he hacked down Rosina for a second bookable offence. Torino remain unbeaten but will need to turn draws into wins soon if their season isn't to fizzle out.
Udinese 2 Reggina 0
Antonio Di Natale continued his incredible form for Udinese with two magnificent goals to defeat Reggina. He has now scored three goals in two Serie A games, plus the brace for Italy. His team had started the season well except for the bizarre and horrific 5-0 loss at home to Napoli.
Udinese got off to a sparkling start, as Gyan Asamoah and Antonio Di Natale were closed down in the opening minutes before the deadlock was broken just five minutes in. Inler's pass set Asamoah running and he intelligently backheeled for Di Natale. The Italian international moved out wide and seemed ready to cross, but instead lobbed Campagnolo from the most improbable of angles for a fantastic goal.
Reggina were unlucky not to draw level on 21 minutes, as a Luca Vigiani cross found Amoruso's powerful header on to the crossbar from six yards. Then Asamoah's header from ex-Reggina man Giandomenico Mesto's cross shaved the upright.
After the restart the Amaranto completely revamped their front line and substitute Joelson wasted a couple of chances.
Udinese were more clinical and Di Natale once again proved decisive with another magnificent strike. A long D'Agostino ball over the top found his flick and volley, all with the right foot, across the face of goal into the far corner.
Reggina tried to get back into the running when Halfredsson unleashed a rocket from over 30 metres that thumped the crossbar. Great win for Udinese, and they seem to have put the dismal performance against Napoli behind them.