Inter Milan reclaimed top spot after finding a way past stubborn 10-man Juventus to record a 2-0 win.
Maicon and Eto'o score after Sissoko is sent off
Inter Milan reclaimed top spot in Serie A after belatedly finding a way past stubborn 10-man Juventus to record a 2-0 win at the San Siro.
Juventus had Mohamed Sissoko sent off in the first half and held out until 15 minutes from time when Maicon scored before Samuel Eto'o added a late second for Inter.
Juventus started brightly with Vincenzo Iaquinta getting in the first shot of the game after just 29 seconds, but it was straight at Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Inter's first shot on goal came in the 16th minute when Thiago Motta forced Gianluigi Buffon to push his shot wide at full stretch.
Motta was later involved in an unnecessary scuffle with Sissoko, with both earning a yellow card for an off-the-ball incident, and it proved to be a costly booking for the Juve midfielder.
He was shown his second yellow card for a late challenge on Javier Zanetti in the 37th minute to leave Juve down to 10 men.
Inter failed to capitalise immediately, but as soon as they got into gear 10 minutes into the second half it seemed only a matter of time before they went ahead.
Eto'o missed a glorious chance in the 54th minute, but he never looked to have full control of the ball after taking it past Fabio Cannavaro before lifting his shot over the bar from 10 yards.
Dejan Stankovic's shot from 20 yards was tipped over the crossbar by Buffon in the 65th minute before Diego Milito somehow headed wide of the post from just two yards out minutes later.
It was going to take something special to break Juve's resistance and it came from Maicon 15 minutes from time. He juggled the ball on the edge of the penalty area before volleying it past Buffon.
Mario Balotelli's 80th-minute free-kick hit the bar with Buffon stood watching helplessly as the ball bounced back out to safety, and Inter almost paid the price for missing their chances when Diego brought a good save from Cesar with a curling free-kick.
Eto'o then sealed the win in stoppage-time, placing the ball into an empty net after reaching a low cross from Sulley Muntari.
