Nedved puts Juventus in contention
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Nedved keeps Juventus in Serie A title contention
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MILAN, Italy (Reuters) -- A thundering 25-meter strike from European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved gave champions Juventus a 1-0 win over Perugia in Italy's Serie A.
The win moved them within three points of leaders AS Roma who lost at home 2-1 to AC Milan -- their first defeat of the season -- with Andriy Shevchenko scoring twice.
Inter Milan move up to fourth after they came from behind to beat Lecce 3-1 at the San Siro with second-half goals from Julio Ricardo Cruz, Ivan Cordoba and Christian Vieri.
But Lazio suffered a setback, falling to a 2-1 loss to Reggina after taking a first-half lead through Fabio Liverani.
Fifth-placed Lazio, who trail Roma by eight points, had Roberto Muzzi sent off before the break and Massimo Oddo late in the second half.
Parma won 2-0 at bottom side Ancona to remain in sixth position and a double by veteran Roberto Baggio helped lowly Brescia improve their standing with a 4-2 win over Siena.
Nedved said scoring Juve's winner was the ideal way to celebrate the award known more commonly as the Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) and which is handed out by France Football magazine.
"Today was a party for me," said an emotional Nedved after his side's nervy victory at the Delle Alpi stadium.
"It was more emotional for me here than when I received the award in Paris and I was glad I could show it to the fans.
"I scored the goal today and I am very happy - Italy has given me so much from football."
Perugia, still searching for their first victory of the 2003/04 campaign, absorbed a spell of early pressure before coming within inches of taking the lead.
Brazilian wing-back Jose Ze Maria found space out on the right and his attempted cross was missed by team-mate Massimiliano Fusani and Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon before hitting the post.
But Nedved, who will captain the Czech Republic at this year's European championships in Portugal, calmed Juve's nerves in the 29th minute with a superb long range effort.
Picking up a pass from Gianluca Zambrotta, the dynamic midfielder ran at the heart of the Perugia defence and unleashed an unstoppable right-foot shot which flew into the top corner beyond Zeljko Kalac's outstretched hand.
Alessandro Del Piero struck the post nine minutes after half-time, while Perugia's English striker Jay Bothroyd did the same for the visitors 60 seconds later, but Juve survived to hold on for three precious points.
