Super Eagles duo, Ademola Lookman and Fisayo Dele-Basiru, starred for thier respective clubs as Atalanta took on Lazio in a Serie A showdown between two teams in the top four.
Valentin Castellanos was denied twice in quick succession by Atalanta keeper, Marco Carnesecchi, before Matteo Guendouzi’s shot from long-range bounced off the bar as Lazio showed early intent to get a win.
The Biancoceleste’s efforts paid off after 27 minutes when Dele-Bashiru put Lazio ahead at the Olimpico, running on to a ball over the top from Nicolo Rovella to score.
Atalanta showed more fight in the second half, with Juan Cuardrado and Lookman heading two chances just wide of the Lazio goal.
The African Player of the Year then saw a curling effort tipped wide by Ivan Provedel, before being denied on the line in a goalmouth scramble as Atalanta struggled to find a breakthrough.
Just when it started to seem Lazio would nick a narrow win, Atalanta struck. Nicolo Zaniolo nudged the ball towards goal, with Lookman beating Provedel to it and squaring for Marco Brescianini to score the equaliser.
The 1-1 draw ends Atalanta’s 11-match winning streak and enough to see Gian Piero Gasperini’s side Atalanta return to the top of the league with 41 points.
Inter Milan, 3-0 winners at Cagliari, are now just a point behind in second place, with a game in hand as well, while Lazio remain in fourth with 35 points, three points behind third placed Napoli.