ROME — AS Roma trounced AC Milan 4-2 in a thrilling end to 2012's Serie A action Saturday. Earlier, Lazio moved up to second after a 1-0 win at Sampdoria saw it leapfrog Inter Milan, which was held at home by Genoa. Roma remained firmly in the race for a Champions League qualifying spot after beating Milan in an end-to-end thriller, with the visiting defense looking ragged. Goals from Nicolas Burdisso, Pablo Osvaldo and two from the sensational Erik Lamela put the home side 4-0 up in just over an hour and the win moved Zdenek Zeman's flamboyant side into sixth place and within four points of Lazio. “I'm happy with our display, especially the first half,” said Roma manager Zdenek Zemanin, “the second half we tried to sit back on our lead but we don't know how to do that.” “It was a good game in the first half because we pressured them high up the field and were able to hit them on the counter attack. In the second half we got pinned back though.” Roma had Marquinhos sent off with 13 minutes left for handball as Milan's Serie A top scorer Stephan El Shaarawy looked to be heading for a one-on-one with Mauro Goicoechea. Milan staged a late rally with two goals in the last five minutes but it was too late to make up for its earlier defensive failings and the defeat left the club loitering in seventh, seven points off a Europa League qualifying spot. “I think we need to improve our defending, but I did not see any big mistakes tonight,” said defiant Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri. “Maybe we weren't aggressive enough on their counter-attacks. Sometimes games go against you and we contributed to the result, but at the end of the day I think Milan played well. Roma deserve credit for making the most of the space we left them.” Serie A now takes a mid-season break until Jan. 5. Lyon on PSG shoulders Lyon defeated Nice 3-0 Saturday to go level with leader Paris Saint-Germain on 38 points as Ligue 1 prepared to head into its winter hibernation. Lyon is in second place on goal difference while Marseille can also go to 38 points if it beats Saint-Etienne Sunday. Lisandro Lopez, Anthony Reveillere, with his first league goal in over five years, and a Bafetimbi Gomis penalty gave Lyon the three points. It was a disappointing return to Lyon for former boss Claude Puel whose side ended the match with 10 men after David Ospina was sent off while the home side also finished a man short when Dejan Lovren was red-carded in the last minute. Rennes is fourth after a 4-2 win at Ajaccio in a match which finished 10 minutes late because of a pitch invasion. PSG guaranteed it will go into the winter break as Ligue 1 leader by beating 10-man Brest Friday, the capital city club's fourth successive win. — Agencies
