Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored from the spot to give the Milan club the lead but Massimo Maccarone brought the hosts back into the match.

Inter regained the advantage through Esteban Cambiasso on the stroke of half-time and Ibrahimovic then grabbed his second shortly after the restart.

A late strike from Fernando Forestieri ensured a nervy finish for the defending champions, but they clung on.

Roma are still clinging to Inter's coat-tails thanks to a 2-1 victory at Atalanta.

Ronaldo netted twice and Brazilian debutant Alexandre Pato also got on the scoresheet as AC Milan finally registered their first home win this season thanks to a 5-2 thrashing of Napoli.

Rock-bottom Cagliari failed to make use of their numerical advantage as they fell to their fifth consecutive Serie A defeat against 10-man Udinese who claimed a 1-0 win.

The hosts were also reduced to 10 men when Joaquin Larrivey was sent off in the last minute.

Adrian Mutu came back to haunt former club Parma after his late penalty gave Fiorentina a 2-1 win.

Antonio Cassano inspired Sampdoria to a 3-0 win over Palermo, Genoa claimed a 2-1 win over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico and Livorno claimed a priceless three points in their bid to pull clear of the relegation zone after a 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Torino.

Alessandro Del Piero's last-gasp equaliser spared Juventus' blushes as the Bianconeri rescued a point at mid-table Catania last night.

Lowly Empoli and Reggina had to settle for a share of the points at a drenched Carlo Castellani stadium.