Inter enjoy Milan derby success

FC Internazionale Milano returned to winning ways following their exit from the UEFA Champions League with victory against city rivals AC Milan to maintain their huge lead at the top of Serie A on a day that S.S. Lazio moved up to third in the standings.

Cruz the key
Inter, who were knocked out of Europe by Valencia CF in midweek, found themselves behind at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza after Ronaldo struck five minutes before half-time. Roberto Mancini's side drew level in the 54th minute through Julio Cruz before the Argentinian substitute set up Zlatan Ibrahimović for the winner (75).

Totti double
It was a result that preserved Inter's unbeaten league record this season and their 16-point lead over AS Roma at the top of the table. The Giallorossi won 3-1 at home to Udinese Calcio as Francesco Totti scored twice to take his Serie A tally for the season to 18. Roma are now eleven points ahead of Lazio and US Città di Palermo after Ayodele Makinwa's strike ten minutes from time helped their capital rivals to a 3-2 victory at Reggina Calcio. The win saw Lazio leapfrog the Sicilians, who could only draw 1-1 against ACF Fiorentina.

Ascoli boost
Elsewhere, Empoli FC's hopes of UEFA Champions League football next season were hit as they were held 2-2 at home by AS Livorno Calcio, but the Tuscan club remain fifth. At the other end of the table, Ascoli Calcio 1898 moved off the bottom thanks to a 1-0 victory at AC Siena meaning Parma FC slipped below them following a 1-1 draw at Atalanta BC. FC Messina Peloro, who sit just above the relegation places, drew 1-1 at AC Chievo Verona while Torino FC were 1-0 victors against Calcio Catania.