AS Roma grabbed a surprising 3-1 win over Inter Milan at Giuseppe Meazza to delay the Nerazzurri's Serie A title celebrations on Wednesday. Simone Perrotta put the visitors ahead just before the break but Marco Materazzi equalized from a controversial penalty kick seven minutes into the second-half. Two late goals from skipper Francesco Totti and Marco Cassetti earned Roma a morale-boosting victory after their humiliating 7-1 defeat to Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League last week. The first league defeat keeps Inter, who missed the chance to be officially crowned league champions, on top of the table with 81 points, 13 ahead of second-placed Roma. Perrotta should have opened the score line in the 18th minute when Totti's low drive was parried by Julio Cesar into his path, but the Italian international's shot was brilliantly blocked again by the Brazilian custodian. He deservedly notched the opener two minutes before halftime when converted Christian Chivu's low cross into the empty net after it evaded Esteban Cambiasso and Cesar.
Kaka scored twice for Milan Inter were awarded a controversial penalty in the 52nd minute when Adriano was allegedly brought down by Roma keeper Alexander Doni. Television replays showed that the Brazilian striker dived to earn the penalty as there was no contact between him and Doni. Materazzi stepped-up to send the keeper the wrong way and level the score. Totti restored the lead for the Giallorossi two minutes from time after his free-kick took a deflection off Luis Figo and went into the back of the net. Cassetti ensured the victory in stoppage time with a low shot from the edge of the area. Elsewhere, AC Milan continued their recent impressive results after crushing struggling side Ascoli 5-2. Brazilian playmaker Kaka and striker Alberto Gilardino scored a brace each and Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf was also on the score sheet to help the Rossoneri cement their place in the fourth spot which earns them a UEFA Champions League place next season.
