Inter win denies Milan top spot

INTER MILAN denied their neighbours AC Milan a place at the top of Serie A and threw their own hat into the ring for the Scudetto in the process with a 1-0 win at the San Siro last night.

A goal from Diego Milito in the 54th minute was enough to earn the visitors all three points and take them to within six points of Serie A leaders Juventus and just five of their city rivals.

Inter silenced the San Siro in the fifth minute, but Thiago Motta’s celebrations after he nodded in a free-kick were short-lived as he saw the linesman’s flag raised.

In the last minute of the first half, Milan’s Mark van Bommel rattled the crossbar with a shot from outside the area and Julio Cesar had to stretch to push Urby Emanuelson’s shot wide on the rebound.

Inter opened the scoring in the 54th minute. Ignacio Abate made a hash of his attempt to cut out a crossfield pass, allowing Milito to take the ball into the penalty area and beat Abbiati with a shot which went in off a post.

Unbeaten Juve were surprisingly held by Cagliari. The leaders took seventh-minute lead through Mirko Vucinic but Cagliari drew level just after half-time through Andrea Cossu.

In Spain, Barcelona survived a tough test from Real Betis to come out 4-2 winners at Camp Nou last night.

Barca raced into the lead through goals from Xavi and Lionel Messi inside 12 minutes but Ruben Castro Martin hit back in the 32nd minute for Betis and Roque Santa Cruz equalised seven minutes into the second half.

Mario Alvarez was sent off for his second booking for Betis on 72 minutes and three minutes later Alexis Sanchez scored the crucial third.

Messi scored from the penalty spot in the 86th minute to keep Barça five points behind Real Madrid.

On Saturday Jose Maria Callejon struck a late winner as Real fought back to beat Real Mallorca.

Tomer Hemed gave Mallorca a 39th-minute lead but Madrid drew level through substitute Gonzalo Higuain 18 minutes from time before Callejon netted an 84th-minute winner.