Inter take advantage of their city rivals' slip to claim top spot in Serie A

Internazionale established a three-point lead at the top of Italy's Serie A after their 2-0 victory over fellow high-fliers Bologna yesterday.

Bologna, who could have gone top themselves with a win, stay in fourth after suffering their first defeat of the season. Milan suffered their first defeat of the season, 3-2 at Chievo, on Saturday while Juventus moved into third place with a 1-0 win at home to Udinese.

Milan's defeat gave Hector Cuper's side an opportunity to hit the front, and Inter made the most of their chance thanks to a Marco Materazzi goal and a late effort from Christian Vieri.

The confidence that comes from a five-game unbeaten start to the season oozed out of Bologna as they set about an Inter side who played as if they had half an eye on Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Rosenborg Trondheim.

Sergio Conceicão had bemoaned his failure to win over the Inter supporters before the game but the Portugal international's free-kick supplied Materazzi with the chance to head Inter in front.

Bologna laboured to get back into the game, throwing more and more men forward. But they were caught out in stoppage time when Vieri and Hernan Crespo at last came to an understanding, the Italy international heading home after getting on the end of a cross from the Argentinian.

Milan's Champions' League opponents tomorrow, the French side Lens, will take hope from the defensive frailties shown by the Italians, who conceded three goals from close range headers as they lost a pulsating match to a Chievo side who look back in the form that made them last season's surprise package.

Newly-promoted Empoli's fine start back in the top flight continued with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Piacenza. The hosts went ahead in the sixth minute through Giuseppe Cardone but Tommaso Rocchi levelled the scores on the half-hour mark. Substitute Igli Vannucchi struck the winner nine minutes from time to preserve Silvio Baldini's side's unbeaten away record.

Roberto Baggio celebrated his 400th Serie A game with a late equaliser for Brescia against Como. The former Italy forward struck from the penalty spot to secure a point for the home side, who trailed to Pasquale Padalino's opener. Yesterday's effort could yet prove vital as Brescia face another battle against the drop.