There weren’t many surprises in the Serie A this weekend, but there were plenty of outstanding players, with Vincent Lai highlighting the Best XI.

Juventus and AC Milan did not disappoint this week as they manhandled their opponent, Atalanta and Lazio respectively with a 5-2 and 2-1 scoreline. Inter Milan had to make do with a 1-1 away draw against AS Roma, but they maintained their five-point advantage in the Italian top flight table.

Emiliano Viviano - Bologna

Viviano made many a great save against Palermo in Bologna's 3-1 victory at home. The 1.95 metre keeper denied Edison Cavani by rushing out to devour the through-ball, parried Federico Cassani's left-footed shot at full stretch, and turned Igor Budan's effort over the bar. Simon Kjaer may have scored for Palermo, but there was nothing Viviano could do to stop the goal.

Giorgio Chiellini - Juventus

Chiellini might not be getting the plaudits he deserves in Juve's seven-goal thriller against Atalanta, but he led his defence well, winning headers and breaking up plays made by La Dea. The defender may be the most dependable player in Ciro Ferrara's squad right now.

Thiago Silva - AC Milan

The Brazilian defender scored for both Milan and Lazio in their game on Sunday. Besides his infamous brace, Silva defended well partnering fellow centre-back Alessandro Nesta to form a dynamic duo.

Cristian Zaccardo - Parma

The right-back earned his way into the team of the week by scoring after Chievo failed to clear their lines properly after a Parma corner. Zaccardo latched onto the ball to give the Ducali the lead in the 41^st minute.

Maicon - Inter Milan

Maicon was a constant pain in Roma's side as he marauded the right flank in search of a goal. The Brazilian right-back almost succeeded as he tested Giallorossi reserve keeper Julio Sergio with a stinging shot early in the game. Shackled John Arne Riise for the whole game.

Mauro Camoranesi - Juventus

Camoranesi score twice in two minutes to give the Bianconeri an unassailable advantage in their thrashing of Atalanta. The winger's two goals in the 36^th and 37^th minute of the match thoroughly demoralized the Nerazzuri, as the Old Lady savoured a much-needed win.

Juan Vargas - Fiorentina

Vargas' missile in the 84^th minute gave Fiorentina an invaluable 1-0 win over midtable side Udinese. Vargas had earlier tested Samir Handanovic on two occasions but the third one was the charm as the Slovenian keeper could do nothing about the Peruvian's rocket.

Daniele Conti - Cagliari

Conti got the ball rolling for the Isolani as he pounced on Alessandro Agostini's deflected shot, heading the ball past a flatfooted Luca Castellazzi to score Cagliari's first goal in the 85^th minute. The Rossoblu won the game 2-0.

Felipe Melo - Juventus

Melo scored a well-placed 25-yard shot to restore Juventus' two-goal advantage in the 55^th minute after Jaime Valdes had pulled one back for Atalanta. The defensive midfielder pulled the strings well for the Bianconeri and has been one of their more consistent players this season.

Marcelo Zalayeta - Bologna

The man from Montevideo, Uruguay, bagged a brace for the Felsinei over the weekend, the first being a tap-in off the assist from Marco Di Vaio, and the second off Roberto Guana's through-ball for a cool finish past Palermo keeper Salvatore Sirigu.

Hernan Crespo - Genoa

The Argentine hitman showed he has plenty left in the tank as he scored twice to lead Genoa to a 4-2 win over Siena. Crespo struck in the second minute off a rebound from Rodrigo Palacio's shot, and he scored another "fox-in-the-box" goal after Gianluca Curci fumbled Palacio's effort on goal. Crespo could have had four or five goals in a single half of football!