Kaka gives Milan derby joy to end Inter's run

Milan beat Inter 1-0 in the Milan derby last night to stay level with Juventus at the top of Serie A and inflict their city rivals' first defeat of the season.

A late strike from Brazilian Kaka ended Inter's 38-match unbeaten run in all competitions to leave Roberto Mancini's side 14 points adrift of the leaders in fourth place, behind Sampdoria who won 1-0 at Brescia on Saturday.

Juventus were inspired by Alessandro Del Piero who scored twice in their 3-0 win over Siena at the Delle Alpi stadium to ensure they remained neck and neck with the champions.

Roma, without the suspended Francesco Totti, slipped to a 2-0 loss at Palermo, and Lazio enjoyed a 2-0 home victory over Parma.

A 78,000 crowd at the San Siro saw little in the way of chances before Kaka struck in the 76th minute, and Inter will feel they deserved a point.

Milan, without injured European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko, started the brighter as Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa forced keeper Francesco Toldo into action with a near-post save from a low shot in the fifth minute.

Inter came close to a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Juan Sebastian Veron unleashed a fierce drive which Milan's Brazilian keeper Dida did well to keep out.

The game looked set for a goalless draw with Milan content to keep possession in midfield and Inter incapable of providing Christian Vieri or his strike partner Obafemi Martins with quality service.

But the decisive moment came when Inter could only clear a corner as far as Gennaro Gattuso and the Milan midfielder's well-struck low drive was turned in by Kaka.

Although Mancini threw on Adriano and Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde in a bid to force what would have been their 17th draw of the season, Milan never looked in danger and threatened a second when Hernan Crespo headed over Serginho's cross.

Striking trio

Juve were without Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved, who was still suffering from the head injury he picked up in Tuesday's Champions League defeat by Real Madrid, but coach Fabio Capello's decision to play with three strikers paid off.

Capello asked Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta to lead the line and gave the much-criticised Del Piero a free role.

Del Piero responded by putting Juve ahead in the 35th minute with a delightful back-heel after a low cross from Zalayeta.

Brazilian midfielder Emerson headed in Juve's second, from a Mauro Camoranesi corner five minutes after the break, before Del Piero wrapped up the win from the penalty spot.

"At last we played a faster game than we have managed recently," said Capello. "I am really pleased with this performance."

Roma's disappointing campaign continued on a heavy pitch in Sicily with Luigi Del Neri's side falling behind to a Franco Brienza goal nine minutes after the break.

Palermo were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute after midfielder Simone Barone was sent off for a second yellow card and the Sicilians were lucky to maintain their lead when a Daniele Corvia effort five minutes from the end was ruled out.

Francesco Guidolin's side made sure of the three points in injury time when Luca Toni slotted home after a swift break down the flank from Mario Santana.