A remarkable game at the San Siro saw Internazionale claw their way back from 2-0 down to maintain their unbeaten record in this season's Serie A.

The champions-elect were a goal down after just three minutes when Andrea Caracciolo struck and they fell further behind when Andrea Barzagli grabbed a second on the stroke of half-time.

But clinical strikes from Julio Ricardo Cruz and Adriano in the space of eight second-half minutes ensured Roberto Mancini's side kept their impressive record in tact.

Palermo's early goal stunned everyone in the San Siro. Fabio Henrique Simplicio hit a delicate ball into the area which Caracciolo anticipated perfectly, before slotting home in style.

They continued to push for another, Edison Cavani playing in Mark Bresciano whose powerful shot flew narrowly wide.

And in the 11th minute, Mattia Cassani struck the bar with another venomous effort.

Inter began to start pressing midway through the first half and looked dangerous when Luis Figo crossed for Hernan Crespo, but the Argentinian's header was comfortable for goalkeeper Alberto Fontana.

The hosts needed some divine intervention from their own goalkeeper Julio Cesar on the half-hour mark, when Aimo Diana's powerful shot was blocked and Mark Bresciano's follow-up was smothered.

Caracciolo thought he had doubled his tally later in the first half but his strike was ruled out as Andrea Barzagli was adjudged to have pushed Cruz.

Palermo were rampant throughout the opening 45 minutes and Cesar needed two attempts to keep out Cavani's bouncing shot five minutes before the break.

They did go two goals to the good though, when Barzagli struck a beautiful effort from the edge of the area which flew into the roof of the net off the cross bar.

Inter were clearly shaken at half-time and came out for the second 45 minutes looking like a new team.

Figo instantly tried his luck with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box which was deflected wide.

They too were on the receiving end of a disallowed goal decision, after Cruz's early second-half strike was ruled out for offside.

In the 66th minute, the ball was in the net and it did count, Cruz opening the match up with a textbook header after being found brilliantly by Figo.

Inter pushed for a second and got it just eight minutes later. Figo again provided the ball for Adriano to nod home with ease.

Mancini's side should perhaps have gone on to win the match when Cruz lined up a last-minute free-kick from a promising position, but he put it wide.

However, a draw was a fair result in a true game of two halves.