Roma, who won the title in 2001, defeated Lecce 3-1 at the Olympic stadium while European champions Milan beat Modena 2-0 at the San Siro.

The two title contenders both have 27 points from 11 matches played, one more than reigning champions Juventus, whose own unbeaten run was ended on Saturday by Inter Milan.

Roma coach Fabio Capello admitted his team were let off the hook a few times before taking control of the match.

"We were up against an excellent Lecce team who pushed us back and didn't allow us room to play," he said.

"At 0-0 they had two good chances to score but we played well after taking the lead."

Brazilian winger Mancini gave Roma the lead in the 19th minute, side-footing home Antonio Cassano's left wing cross from eight yards.

Giant Norwegian striker John Carew doubled the home side's advantage in first-half stoppage time, controlling Emerson's cross with his chest before firing a low left foot shot beyond Marco Amelia in the Lecce goal.

Carew then turned provider for Roma's third, teeing up captain Francesco Totti for an easy tap-in 13 minutes from time. Ernesto Chevanton scored a late consolation goal for the southern visitors.

Andriy Shevchenko was on target twice as Milan, who booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, chalked up their fourth home win of the campaign.

The 27-year-old Ukranian international broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, latching on to Andrea Pirlo's probing pass before tucking the ball home with his right foot.

The former Dinamo Kiev star settled the home side's nerves in the 67th minute, running on to Manuel Rui Costa's beautifully weighted pass and firing low past Marco Ballotta for his 12th goal of the season.

Shevchenko refused to take all the plaudits for a hard-fought win against a stubborn Modena side.

"I am very happy with the way things are going for me at the moment but the team deserve credit too," he said.

"It's important that we stay on this road as the next few weeks could prove to be decisive in the title race."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti heaped praise on Italy international Pirlo for his contribution in the centre of midfield.

"I believe he is the best player in the world in that role, and that's no exaggeration," he said. "He does some incredible things."

Parma moved up to fifth with a 3-1 win at home to Chievo, while Sampdoria rose to seventh after defeating bottom club Ancona 2-0 in Genoa.

Greek striker Zisis Vryzas scored Perugia's equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home to Empoli before being sent off in the closing stages, and Reggina were held 0-0 against Bologna in Reggio Calabria.

In Sunday's late match Dino Fava's seventh goal of the season gave Udinese a 2-1 win at strugglers Brescia where all the goals came in a 20 minute spell after half-timme.

Danish striker Martin Jorgensen struck first for Udinese before Fava doubled their lead with a right foot shot. Andrea Caracciolo pulled one back for the home side, but despite applying plenty of pressure in the closing stages, Udinese could not force an equaliser.

Inter bounced back from their Champions League humiliation and kick-started their title push by defeating Juve 3-1 at the Delle Alpi stadium on Saturday night.

Argentine striker Julio Cruz scored twice and speedy Nigerian teenager Obafemi Martins added a third as Inter chalked up their fourth consecutive league win and extinguished the memory of Tuesday's 5-1 thrashing at home to Arsenal.

Juve's only reply in Turin came a minute from time when Uruguayan defender Paolo Montero headed home from close range.

Lazio crashed to a 3-0 defeat away to a spirited Siena.

Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei was the architect of Lazio's downfall, scoring twice in the final four minutes of a pulsating first-half before setting up compatriot Fernando Menegazzi for a late third as Roberto Mancini's men fell to their fourth league defeat of the season.

Lazio, whose Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after Wednesday's disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Besiktas, were forced to play the last 23 minutes with 10 men following the sending-off of Dejan Stankovic for verbally abusing a linesman.