Inter Milan 5-3 Roma - Inter in the race

Posted Sunday, February 06, 2011 by PA

Inter Milan threw their hat into the ring for the Scudetto with a dramatic 5-3 win over 10-man Roma.

Wesley Sneijder started the scoring in the third minute, but Fabio Simplicio responded for the Giallorossi in the 13th minute.

Samuel Eto'o put the home side back in front 10 minutes before the break and the game seemed to be done and dusted for Inter when Nicolas Burdisso was sent off for giving away a penalty, which Eto'o converted in the 63rd minute.

Thiago Motta added a fourth, but goals from Mirko Vucinic and Simone Loria provided another twist, throwing the game wide open again until Esteban Cambiasso completed the scoring in the last minute to take the Nerazzurri above Lazio and into third.

Sneijder gave Inter a flying start, marking his first start since December with a fine goal from 20 yards into the top left-hand corner after just over 120 seconds.

Roma responded with Simplicio bringing them level within 10 minutes.

He slid in at the far post to reach Mattia Cassani's cross and set the tone for an action-packed game with the second goal within just 13 minutes.

Julio Cesar somehow kept Inter level with three excellent saves, twice denying Jeremy Menez and also stopping Marco Borriello in the 15th minute.

Simplicio then had another chance to put Roma in front 10 minutes before the break, but Julio Cesar got a hand to the ball as the Roma midfielder tried to dribble past him and he sent him out wide.

On the counter attack, Eto'o then put Inter in front, although Julio Sergio must take some of the blame for his poor attempt to save as the Cameroonian's shot squirmed through his arms.

A seemingly legitimate goal from Giampaolo Pazzini was ruled out for offside in the 57th minute, but Inter extended their lead five minutes later.

Burdisso fouled Pazzini inside the area to give away a penalty and earn a red card, and Eto'o stepped up to score his second and Inter's third from the spot.

Julio Sergio denied Pazzini from getting his name on the scoresheet in the 69th minute, but he could do nothing to prevent Thiago Motta from heading in from point-blank range two minutes later.

Roma were down, but not out as Vucinic intentionally diverted Daniele De Rossi's free-kick past Julio Cesar to reduce the arrears in the 75th minute.

Loria then set up a grandstand finish in the 81st minute, heading in after Juan's header bounced back off the post.

But Cambiasso settled Inter's nerves in the last minute, completing the scoring from close range.