Parma 2 Udinese 0
Lamouchi 84'
Micoud 90'

Viva la France! Entente Cordiale and all that!! Phew though, we left it late! Just as well from my angle however! Between massive computer crashes, washing paint off the new step stool and trying to watch a fascinating Spanish Liga game on TV, I had little chance to follow the first half of the game on the Real Audio thing. What I heard though, sounded good! And we were obviously all over them in the 2nd half. "Conceicao this and Conceicao that" - but I was tapping away doing my Everton report - kinda oblivious - resigned to a 0-0 draw, I think - and that is a wicked thing to resign to. However, 2 late goals from our French friends and there we have it! I am curious as to why the commentator went demented when Lamouchi scored, yet one could barely distinguish any hint of excitement in his voice when Micoud did. Doesn't he like him? Anyway, I am as delighted as it is possible to be at this early stage of the season - and I think I will celebrate by burning "eternity" in the hubble-bubble whiffy smoke bottle. Sorry, in a way, that Udinese have had such a bad week, but that's cricket. Forza Parma! Get well soon Alberto!

Teams

Parma (3-4-3): Buffon, Thuram 6, Torrisi 6,5 (7' st Sensini 6), F.Cannavaro 6, Fuser 6, Lamouchi 7,5, Boghossian 6,5, Falsini 6 (31' st Montano 6), Conceicao 6,5, Mboma 6 (20' st Milosevic), Micoud 6,5. (99 Guardalben, 28 P.Cannavaro, 3 Benarrivo, 4 Appiah, 26 Montano). Coach: Alberto Malesani 7.

Udinese (3-5-2): Turci 6,5, Zamboni 6,5, Sottil 6,5, Bertotto 6,5, (booked) Alberto 6 (25' st Jorgensen 6), Fiore 6, Giannichedda 5, Pinzi 5,5, Diaz 5,5, Margiotta 5,5, Esposito 5,5 (34' st Gutierrez). (22 De Sanctis, 27 Manfredini, 3 Micolucci, 13 Helguera, 9 Sosa). Coach: Luigi De Canio 6.

Referee: Borriello of Mantova 6,5.
Corners: 10-3 to Parma
Crowd: 15.748.

What the papers thought(tomorrow or the next day)