Inter Milan shrugged off their midweek Champions League elimination by defeating city rivals AC Milan 2-1 yesterday with goals from strikers Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Trailing to a first-half strike by Ronaldo, Inter equalised in the 54th minute through substitute Cruz. The Argentina international then set up Ibrahimovic for the winner in the 75th. Inter have 73 points from 27 matches, 16 ahead of second-placed AS Roma, who beat Udinese 3-1. Milan lie sixth on 40 points.

Elsewhere, Lazio beat Reggina 3-2 to climb to third on 46 points, level with Palermo who were held to a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina.

Inter's fans showed they had not forgiven Ronaldo for leaving the club for Real Madrid in 2002, whistling every time the Brazilian touched the ball in the early stages at the San Siro.

The triple World Player of the Year silenced them with a goal five minutes before the interval when his angled shot from outside the area flew past goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

But Cruz came on in place of Hernan Crespo and equalised within a minute, thumping the ball in from close range after Milan goalkeeper Dida failed to smother a low cross by Ibrahimovic. The Argentinian almost scored again with a backheel that flew over the bar before dribbling into the box and cutting the ball across the area for Swede Ibrahimovic to turn in Inter's second goal.

While Inter regained pride lost against Valencia on Tuesday, Milan were left to rue a defeat that complicated their drive for a place in next season's Champions League.

Goals by Christian Manfredini, Goran Pandev and Ayodele Makinwa gave Lazio their fifth win in a row, at Reggina, while Palermo came from behind to grab a point at home to Fiorentina.