With Juventus and Roma winning for the second time this season on Sunday, both sides knew a win here would take them into a three-way tie at the top of the table.

The home side seized the initiative when Kaka scored from the penalty spot in the 27th minute but Adrian Mutu replied 11 minutes into the second half.

Fiorentina had the best chances to win it, but a 1-1 draw was about right in a game between two sides who, on this evidence, will play a leading role in Serie A this season.

The game flowed from one end to the other with the visitors clearly not content with just making up the numbers.

They had an excellent opportunity to go ahead in the 22nd minute when Giampaolo Pazzini met Tomas Ujfalusi's right-wing cross with a fine header from 15 yards which just cleared the crossbar with Dida beaten.

Milan were not without their chances, though, and a marvellous save from Sebastien Frey denied Alberto Gilardino his first goal of the season.

The Italy striker diverted a Kaka shot goalbound and Frey's first reaction save was not enough to avert the danger. As the ball hovered towards the goal, the France international managed to get his other arm to the ball and palm it away.

Milan took the lead when Dario Dainelli barged Massimo Ambrosini inside the penalty area and referee Stefano Farina pointed to the spot.

Kaka, who had hitherto disappointed, stepped up and sent Frey the wrong way, scoring his second penalty of the season and his third goal in two games.

Fiorentina reacted well and Dida made a double save from Pazzini, although the Viola striker was offside anyway.

Cesare Prandelli's side continued to cause the Milan defence problems in the second half and their persistency was rewarded 11 minutes in.

The lively Mutu headed in Mario Santana's cross after the Argentinian tricked Alessandro Nesta to make room to deliver the ball from the left.

Mutu found space once again for a shot from the edge of the penalty area as Fiorentina began looking for a winner.

Carlo Ancelotti reacted, bringing Filippo Inzaghi on for the ineffective Gilardino, but the Italy striker appeared to have the same fear of scoring.

He could not choose which leg to aim at Ambrosini's cross when all it needed was a simple touch to beat Frey.

Fiorentina's last gamble was Christian Vieri, but he too lacked the route to goal. Nesta blocked his best effort 15 minutes from time when Franco Semioli crossed from the right.

Prandelli's side believed in themselves until the end and Zdravko Kuzmanovic almost claimed all three points with a shot against the post from just inside the penalty area after being found by Semioli.