Inter go top with late Cordoba goal

Ivan Cordoba thrashed in a stoppage-time goal to give Inter a 3-2 win at bottom club Reggina yesterday, sending the champions top of Serie A after they had surrendered a two-goal lead.

Inter looked to be cruising when goals by Brazilian defender Maicon and France midfielder Patrick Vieira put them 2-0 up inside 24 minutes.

But Francesco Cozza resuscitated Reggina in the 34th with a powerful strike from the edge of the area and Franco Brienza equalised with another long-range effort eight minutes after the break.

Inter have 21 points from 10 games, one more than Napoli, who visit fourth-placed Milan today, and Udinese, who entertain Genoa.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho fielded an attack-minded line-up with strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli supported by Mancini and Ricardo Quaresma on the wings.

It paid dividends early on with Maicon sprinting into the area to smash home a sweet pass from Ibrahimovic and Vieira firing through Reggina keeper Andrea Campagnolo's legs.

But the hosts roared back and Inter looked set to be held again after two drab goalless draws against Genoa and Fiorentina when Cordoba scored following a corner.

In the late kick-off, Alessandro Del Piero scored a stunning goal to help Juventus beat struggling Roma 2-0.

Captain Del Piero drove a right-footed free-kick into the top corner from 30 metres after 38 minutes to set the home side on their way.

Midfielder Marco Marchionni skipped inside John Arne Riise before chipping Roma keeper Doni for Juve's second three minutes after the break.

Juventus go fifth with 18 points from 10 games, three points behind leaders Inter.

Roma's fourth consecutive league defeat leaves last season's runners-up just a point above the relegation zone with their morale in tatters ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match at home to Chelsea.