First-half goals from David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved clinched another three points for the reigning champions whose sixth successive league victory saw them open up a five point lead over AC Milan and Fiorentina.

Inter, who won 1-0 in Turin last season, could have joined Juve at the top of the table had they defeated the title-holders but like the driving rain their hopes sank deep into the mud after a poor first 45 minutes.

Juventus' eighth consecutive victory in all competitions came at a high price, though, with Trezeguet, Lilian Thuram and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all being substituted because of injuries.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after Esteban Cambiasso brought down Mauro Camoranesi on the edge of the 18-yard box.

Julio Cesar saved the resulting free-kick by Ibrahimovic but the ball bounced high into the air and Trezeguet was first to the rebound, sending an angled header into the unguarded far corner.

Juventus tightened their grip in the 33rd minute.

Walter Samuel brought down Ibrahimovic 20 yards from goal and Nedved curled the free-kick over the wall and past Julio Cesar's outstretched hand.

Earlier on Sunday Paolo Maldini scored two goals in a match for the first time in his 20-year career to give AC Milan a 2-1 home win over struggling Reggina.

The 37-year-old captain showed he can attack as well as defend with two clinical finishes in the first 20 minutes before Simone Cavalli grabbed a late consolation goal for the Calabrians whose defeat was their fifth in six games.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti heaped praise on his priceless skipper.

"Paolo is an extraordinary lad - aside from the two goals he scored he had a great match.

"In spite of his continual knee problem he is still able to play out of his skin."

Fiorentina are level on 13 points with AC Milan after their 3-2 victory at home to Livorno with goals from Luca Toni, his sixth of the season, Martin Jorgensen and Gianpaolo Pazzini bringing their Tuscan rivals' unbeaten run to an end.

Livorno, who were 3-0 down before producing a late rally, were reduced to 10 men in the 17th minute when their captain Cristiano Lucarelli was sent off for abusing the referee.

Earlier in the day Lucarelli confirmed he had signed a contract extension that will tie him to the club till 2010.

Sampdoria joined Inter on 12 points after they thumped Messina 4-1 in Sicily where Emiliano Bonazzoli scored twice to take his league tally to six.

Palermo were held to a 2-2 draw by Empoli while Roma lost 3-2 at home to Siena who played with 10 men for the last 32 minutes following the dismissal of Simone Vergassola.

Croatian striker Sasa Bjelanovic grabbed a brace for Ascoli in their 3-1 victory against Parma and Lecce thrashed Cagliari 3-0 for their first victory of the campaign.

At the San Siro, evergreen Maldini showed off his dribbling skills to give AC Milan the lead in the fifth minute.

Cutting in from the left wing, he clipped the ball through the legs of Giacomo Tedesco before tucking the ball right-footed past Nicola Pavarini from an acute angle.

Maldini's second goal was largely down to poor marking, the former Italy international rising unmarked to powerfully head home an outswinging corner.

On Saturday Vincenzo Iaquinta marked his return to the Udinese team after being left out for two weeks because of a contract dispute by scoring the first goal and setting up the second in their 3-0 home win over Lazio.

Treviso drew 0-0 away to Chievo to pick up their first point of the season.