Inter have moved four points clear in Serie A after they beat Palermo 2-1 in the top of the table clash. The Nerazzurri collected an impressive three points after former Juventus buddies Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira netted in Sicily. The disappointed home side now find themselves in third, two points shy of a rampant Roma.

Week 13’s biggest clash and arguably the most important match of the season so far began with a surprise before kick off. Although Palermo named their expected starting XI, Roberto Mancini shuffled his Inter pack. Not only did Santiago Solari get the nod in midfield, Mancio took the gamble of dropping Hernan Crespo for Adriano.

Anticipation was high and with record gate receipts at the Barbera, as well as live coverage in 180 different countries, it was a game to relish. The first half wasn’t a dull affair with Inter underlining their class against a seemingly overwhelmed Palermo side, who unexpectedly lost 1-0 at Cagliari seven days ago.

It was the leaders, chasing their ninth straight win in all competitions, who struck first with Ibrahimovic. The super Swede fired his side in front with a shot from 30 yards that caught out Alberto Fontana. The former Inter ‘keeper, who clashed with Mancio at the San Siro, was at fault as the ball went through him.

The Rosanero tried to hit back immediately with Mark Bresciano, yet Inter took a grip of the game as they defended their lead by threatening to increase it. After a speculative Dejan Stankovic shot from distance, the away side should have doubled their lead in minute 27 as Vieira failed to hit the target after an Adriano free-kick.

The Milan giants were looking in great shape at times and Adriano just failed to score as he hit the side netting, before Fabio Grosso attempted to score past his former club. It looked as if the half would end 1-0 until Palermo hit back to the delight of the Barbera faithful. It was Brazilian-born Amauri who levelled things up in injury time with a sublime volley touch from a central position in the penalty area. Scudetto Dreamers 1 – Title Favourites 1.

The second half started with a tame Adriano shot before both sides lost their scorers. Ibra was the first to leave the pitch with a muscle problem and he was replaced by Crespo. Amauri lasted just four minutes longer until his knee injury brought an end to his game. Andrea Caracciolo came on.

Inter were looking for another and they didn’t have to wait for too much longer. After Marco Materazzi hit the post from a corner, the northern outfit got a deserved second. A counter-attacking Adriano laid on the ball for Vieira and the former Juventus man beat Fontana with a powerful shot to make it 2-1.

There did seem to be a gap in class between the two teams and that was further demonstrated when Inter lost Ivan Cordoba to injury and Walter Samuel stepped into his boots. Palermo responded by bringing on Franco Brienza in a bid to pose more of an attacking threat.

Inter kept the ball well in the closing stages as they protected their lead with few worries against a team who seemed to be aware that there was no way back into the tie. That was until Eugenio Corini floated in an 85th minute corner and Caracciolo’s header effort painfully hit the woodwork.

Inter went home with the points and the knowledge that they will take some stopping in the title race. Palermo, after this latest setback, may have to now accept that they will be fighting for a top-four finish rather than the championship.

Palermo: Fontana; Zaccardo, Barzagli, Dellafiore (Brienza 71); Cassani, Diana, Corini (Tedesco 88), Guana, Pisano; Bresciano; Amauri (Caracciolo 53)

Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba (Walter Samuel 66), Materazzi, Grosso; Solari (Cambiasso 83), Vieira, Stankovic, Zanetti; Ibrahimovic (Crespo 49), Adriano

Ref: Rosetti