Inter claim honors in first Milan derby of season

Inter Milan defender Cristian Chivu, left, jumps for the ball as AC Milan forward Kaka looks on during their match at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Sunday PHOTO: AP

In a battle between the world's best and Italy's best it was the domestic champions Inter who beat AC Milan 2-1 at the San Siro in Sunday's first Milan derby of the season.

It was a match that had been eagerly anticipated since a week ago when Milan added the Club World Cup title to the Champions League crown they claimed in May.

Ironically, though, while the world champions began with seven Italian internationals, Inter -- living up to their full name Internazionale -- fielded a starting 11 including nine South Americans and not a single Italian.

Whatever make-up of their side, Inter have been unbeatable this season and go into the three-week festive break with a seven-point lead over the chasing pack -- Milan, who have three games in hand, are 25 points off the pace down in 12th.

What's more remarkable is that Inter have been injury plagued this season, particularly in midfield.

"It's very important to reach the winter break with a seven-point lead on the second-placed team, particularly with all the problems we've had," Inter coach Roberto Mancini told Sky Sport television.

Despite success Inter humbly formed a guard of honor to welcome their record-breaking opponents onto the field -- last week Milan won their 18th international title, one more than Boca Juniors in second place.

But then Inter knocked their cross city rivals off their perch.

Inter the first chance of the match after barely five minutes when right-back Maicon crossed to the back post where Zlatan Ibrahimovic volleyed over the bar.

Inter pushing the pace but Milan looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Filippo Inzaghi earned a free-kick on the edge of the box on 18 minutes after Ivan Cordoba dragged him down.

Andrea Pirlo stepped up to sweep home a delicious curler into the top corner.

That sparked some life into Inter and they almost equalized two minutes later but Luis Jimenez grazed the bar with a shot from a tight angle.

Inter find a way back into the game 10 minutes before the break in sumptuous fashion as Ibrahimovic and Esteban Cambiasso worked the ball to Cruz, who held off Clarence Seedorf's challenge before firing low past Brazilian goalkeeper Dida.

And was despite Inter briefly playing with 10 men due to the injury to center-back Samuel.

Inter the stronger side after the half-time and a seemingly innocuous shot from Cambiasso sent Dida the wrong way on 64 minutes to give the hosts the lead.

Emerson Massimo Ambrosini both missed gilt edged chances to equalize as Inter became jittery in the final moments.