Diego Milito, struggling for most of this season, scored early in the second half to give Inter Milan a surprise 1-0 win over arch-rivals AC Milan in their Serie A derby Sunday. The Argentine broke clear of the defence and placed his shot inside the far post to propel Claudio Ranieri's team back into the title race and end Milan's unbeaten 12-match league run in which they dropped only two points. Champion Milan, which began the weekend as joint leader with Juventus, had the better of the first half but failed to take its chances as coach Massimiliano Allegri lost a derby for the first time in his 18 months in charge. Milan dropped into second place one point behind Juventus after the unbeaten Turin side drew 1-1 at home to Cagliari. Inter stayed fifth but its sixth successive win moved it within six points of Juventus, who have 38 points. “It was an important examination for us, in terms of the table and team morale,” Milito told Inter's website. “Winning the derby is the best thing possible especially for everyone who supported me when things got difficult.” Ranieri said: “This was a gigantic step. We've played a good game, tactically aware. We're playing well and getting our pride back.” Former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni, sacked by Cagliari before the start of the season, made a winning start at Parma who beat Siena 3-1, leaving them 12th with 22 points. Udinese lost ground in a 3-2 defeat at Genoa. Udinese has 35 points, two more than fourth-placed Lazio, who narrowed the gap with a 2-0 win over 10-man Atalanta. Lazio ended a three-match winless run and bounced back from last week's 4-0 defeat at Siena. Romania forward Adrian Mutu scored twice, including a penalty, to give Cesena a 3-1 win over bottom club Novara who is level with Lecce following their 1-0 win at Fiorentina. Kalou scores Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou scored on the hour mark to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Libya Monday in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations warm-up match. It was the second victory within four days for the title co-favorite in Abu Dhabi after Kalou and Didier Drogba grabbed the goals that sank Tunisia 2-0 last Friday. Libya, fairy-tale qualifier after playing while a civil war raged between pro and anti-Moamer Gaddafi forces last year, came under increasing pressure. Defender Igor Lolo delivered a deep cross and Kalou rose between two Libyans to nod the ball wide of 39-year-goalkeeper and captain Samir Aboud for the match winner.
