Del Piero inspires Juventus again, AC Milan lose
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-16 10:23

Brazilian striker Adriano was involved in both goals, first pumping forward a long ball for Obafemi Martins to score on the break before taking advantage of a great run and cross by Javier Zanetti to tap in at the far post.

Cagliari pulled one back through Mauro Esposito in the 20th minute but Andrea Capone's foul on Adriano early in the second half allowed the Brazilian to restore Inter's two-goal cushion from the penalty spot.

Inter's hopes of a trouble-free finale were dashed in the 81st minute when David Suazo's free kick deflected off Walter Samuel to beat keeper Julio Cesar.

The win moved Inter above city rivals Milan, who suffered their fifth away defeat of the season in Rome.

Milan's strike partnership of Andriy Shevchenko and Alberto Gilardino had notched up eight goals between them in their previous three Serie A matches, but struggled to wriggle through Roma's defence.

Clarence Seedorf almost put Milan ahead with a long-range effort that flew just wide early in the second half.

At the other end defender Cristian Chivu wasted a good chance to give the home side the lead when he opted to pass instead of taking a shot from close range.

Roma grabbed the winner in the 81st minute. Midfielder Mancini -- playing his first Serie A game after a two-month injury layoff -- picked up Francesco Totti's pass on the edge of the area and fired in a shot that deflected off Jaap Stam to beat Dida at his near post.