MILAN, Italy: Pervis Estupinan's first-half goal proved enough for AC Milan to claim a 1-0 derby triumph at the San Siro on Sunday and cut Inter Milan's lead at the top of Serie A to seven points.
Inter could have moved 13 points clear with just 10 matches remaining in the season with victory, but instead Milan kept their title hopes alive and extended their unbeaten run against their city rivals to seven meetings in all competitions.
Estupinan struck 10 minutes before half-time before a dogged defensive display in the second period gave Massimiliano Allegri's Milan a much-needed success.
The Rossoneri, who have still lost only twice in the league this season, are bidding for their first Scudetto since 2022 and only their second since 2011.
"They still have a seven-point lead and remain the favourites for the title — the championship will be decided from March onwards," said Allegri, after Milan's first league double over Inter since he took them to the title during his first spell in charge 15 years ago.
Inter are still on track to regain the crown they lost last term to Napoli, who are 11 points off the pace in third after suffering a series of injuries, but this result leaves them with more work to do.
However, neither Milan club have ever won Serie A in a season in which they have lost both derbies.
"It's a well-deserved victory," said veteran Milan midfielder Luka Modric.
"I don't know if we can say the championship is back on. For us, the title race was still open, it's even more so now."
It was Inter's first Serie A defeat since the previous derby in November and snapped their eight-match winning run in the league.
"We never managed to get into a good position, we lacked dynamism, we need to improve even more," said Inter coach Cristian Chivu.
FEW CLEAR-CUT CHANCES
Romanian Chivu named Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny up front with Marcus Thuram ruled out with illness.
Captain Lautaro Martinez, unable to play due to a calf injury, was named among the substitutes but only to be closer to his teammates.
Milan went close to an early lead as the 40-year-old Modric, watched on by former teammates Sergio Ramos and Mario Mandzukic in the stands, fired narrowly wide after Christian Pulisic had intercepted a loose pass from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Inter threatened seriously for the first time in the 34th minute as Henrikh Mkhitaryan meandered all the way from near halfway into the area but shot straight at Mike Maignan, and Milan went straight up the other end to forge ahead.
An excellent team move ended with Youssouf Fofana playing a perfect through ball into the path of left-back Estupinan.
The Ecuador international took a touch and lashed in his first goal for Milan since signing from Brighton last summer.
Inter missed a glorious chance to level in the 54th minute, when Mkhitaryan teed up Federico Dimarco only for the wing-back to send his shot over the crossbar.
The league leaders were starting to build up a head of steam and went close twice again through substitute Denzel Dumfries and Bonny.
Inter continued to monopolise possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances despite a flurry of late corners as Milan held on to a crucial win — and their Scudetto aspirations.
Earlier, Roma dropped out of the top four and were replaced by Como after Vitinha's late strike grabbed Genoa a 2-1 home win over the capital club.
Como, who have never played in Europe, took the last Champions League berth from Roma on goal difference.
Juventus are a point further back in sixth.
Roma travel to face Como, who notched a third straight league win by beating Cagliari on Saturday, in a week's time in what could prove a crucial clash in the top-four battle. — AFP
Italian Serie A results on Sunday:
Lecce 2 (Pierotti 22, Stulic 38-pen) Cremonese 1 (Bonazzoli 47)
Bologna 1 (Rowe 49) Verona 2 (Frese 53, Bowie 57)
Fiorentina 0 Parma 0
Genoa 2 (Messias 52-pen, Vitinha 80) Roma 1 (Ndicka 55)
AC Milan 1 (Estupinan 35) Inter Milan 0
Played Saturday
Cagliari 1 (Esposito 56) Como 2 (Baturina 14, Da Cunha 76)
Atalanta 2 (Scamacca 75, 79) Udinese 2 (Kristensen 40, Davis 55)
Juventus 4 (Cambiaso 54, Thuram 65, Yildiz 75, Boga 90+3) Pisa 0
Played Friday
Napoli 2 (Alisson 7, Elmas 68) Torino 1 (Casadei 87)
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
