ROME: An injury-time goal by midfielder Massimo Ambrosini gave AC Milan a 2-1 win over AS Roma in an Italian Cup quarter-final first leg match on Wednesday.

It was the second time in eight days the Cup holders got the better of the Serie A leaders after their 2-1 league win last week.

Milan dominated the first half and home striker Marco Borriello and Ambrosini both came close before teammate Jon Dahl Tomasson broke Roma's offside trap and slotted the ball past stranded keeper Andrea Zotti in the 39th minute.

Without injured captain Francesco Totti and suspended striker Antonio Cassano, the visitors lacked their usual sharpness up front, but the introduction of Brazilian winger Mancini shortly after the hour changed the balance of the game.

Roma seemed to have done enough for a draw when burly Norwegian striker John Carew equalized in the 78th minute, chesting down a long ball in the area before spinning and shooting past Milan keeper Dida.

But Milan regained the lead in the first minute of stoppage time when Zotti parried a Serginho cross into Ambrosini's path and the midfielder sidefooted the ball into an open net.

The result leaves Roma needing to build on their away goal in the return leg on January 22.

In an earlier quarter-final, Roberto Muzzi and Dejan Stankovic scored a goal in each half to give Lazio a comfortable 2-0 win over Parma. It was a disappointing result for financially troubled Parma who had a 1-0 Serie A win over Inter Milan.

Chelsea rout foes

In England, Chelsea thumped Watford 4-0 in their FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday to set up a classic fourth-round tie against minor league Scarborough, who upset third division Southend 1-0.

In the night's other replay, an all-premier league clash, two late goals gave Manchester City a desperately needed 3-1 success at Leicester City to end their 14-game winless run.

Chelsea advanced with two goals from Adrian Mutu, one from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and another from Eidur Gudjohnsen as they atoned for a lacklustre performance at Vicarage Road 11 days ago.

Manchester City, like Chelsea, also twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in the initial meeting and they too took early control of the replay "albeit away from home.

Barcelona hold on

In Spain, Alaves struck late to claim a 1-1 draw at Valladolid and become the only second division side to make it through to the quarter-finals of the King's Cup.

Barcelona just managed to avoid a second surprise as goals from Andres Iniesta, Javier Saviola and Ronaldinho gave them a 3-1 win over second division Levante at the Nou Camp and a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Real Madrid made it through on Tuesday when a 2-0 home win over second division Eibar earned them a 3-1 success.

Celta Vigo, Real Zaragoza and Valencia joined them in the last eight when they completed victories on Wednesday.

Celta Vigo drew 2-2 with Malaga to claim a 3-2 aggregate win, while Zaragoza's 1-1 draw at Real Betis clinched a comfortable 4-2 success.

League leaders Valencia made it safely through with a 2-0 win away to Osasuna for a 4-2 victory overall.

(China Daily 01/16/2004 page16)