Milan: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored with an early penalty on Sunday to give AC Milan a 1-0 win against his former team Inter Milan and end a run of three losses in the Serie A derby.
The Sweden forward converted his spot kick past goalkeeper Luca Castelazzi in the fifth minute at the San Siro after he was brought down by Marco Materazzi. It was Ibrahimovic's first Milan derby since leaving Inter for Barcelona in 2009.
Milan leads the standings with 26 points, one more than Lazio. Napoli is third with 21 and Juventus and Inter have 20 points.
"It wasn't an easy goal as it was in front of the Inter fans at their home game but I did what I had to do and tried to concentrate," Ibrahimovic said. "I think it gave the team confidence and we became more calm and it helped us win.
"I am always confident in the teams I play for and it is fair that we are favorite. But there are also Inter, Juventus. And AS Roma is playing well and improving but with patience we can finish top."
Milan fullback Ignazio Abate was sent off in the 60th minute after collecting a second yellow card.
Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf headed over Abate's cross from close range in the second minute in a bright start for the Rossoneri.
Milan continued to dominate after the goal. Ibrahimovic set up Mathieu Flamini but Inter defender Javier Zanetti got back in time to stop him shooting.
Eventually, Inter coach Rafael Benitez changed his system and brought on Coutinho to help Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito in attack. It nearly had an immediate impact as the young Brazilian shot wide after combining with Eto'o and Wesley Sneijder.
Sneijder curled a free kick into the side-netting in the 38th. After halftime, another free kick by the Dutchman forced goalkeeper Christian Abbiati into a sprawling save.
Milan went down to 10 men when Abate received his second yellow card after clashing with Goran Pandev but Milan came the closest to scoring despite being a man down.
"It was a tricky situation and it was a pity he had that reaction," Milan coach Massimo Allegri said. "But his sending-off meant we focused more."
Materazzi was later carried off and taken to a hospital after the Inter defender injured a cheekbone in a collision with Ibrahimovic.
"I heard that he's okay but I'm sorry that he was hurt," Ibrahimovic said. "It was a 50-50 ball and we both went in hard. I'm not sure what happened but the important thing is that he's okay."
Andrea Pirlo and Ibrahimovic combined to set up Seedorf for a shot that flashed just past the post.
Benitez brought on winger Jonathan Biabiany to add some more pace to the attack but it was not enough against a determined Milan side.
"I said before that it would be an important match but the season is long," Benitez said. "We have to win more to get up with Milan but we have had injuries against Lecce and Brescia and we should have four points more. But we have to work hard from now on and go for three points every match."
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