The former Chelsea striker, who joined the Viola from Juve in July last year, beat Gianluigi Buffon from the spot with two minutes remaining after Nicola Legrottaglie handled in the area to deny another former Stamford Bridge man Ranieri a victory against the club where he won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa in 1996.

Summer signing Vincenzo Iaquinta opened the scoring in the first half for the visitors, who remain second but now trail Inter by three points.

Francesco Totti struck twice as Roma moved level on points with Juve after a 3-0 win at Parma.

AC Milan produced the performance of the weekend with a 5-1 win at Lazio in the evening game - Kaka and Alberto Gilardino scoring twice and Massimo Ambrosini also on target.

Genoa secured their third successive victory with a routine 2-0 win over Cagliari to move into fifth.