AC Milan's Pato (C) celebrates beside teammate Robinho after scoring against Inter Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan April 2, 2011.
MILAN, April 2 -- Alexandre Pato scored a brace to hand AC Milan a 3-0 win over cross-city rivals Inter in a potentially title-deciding derby on Saturday.
Pato opened the scoring in the first minute with a tap-in before Cristian Chivu blew off his sides' chances of a comeback on 53 minutes when he was sent off for tripping Milan's goalscorer.
Pato wrapped the win on 62 minutes when he headed a pass from Ignazio Abate. Substitute Antonio Cassano completed the rout on 89 minutes when he converted a penalty he won himself before receiving his marching orders in the 92 minute for a second-yellow card.
Inter's best chance came in the 38th minute when Wesley Sneijder delivered an inviting corner which was met by the head of Thiago Motta on the six-yard line. It looked as if an equalizer was inevitable only for Abbiati to somehow claw the ball to safety off the line, a wonderful save celebrated by the keeper as if he had just scored the winning goal.
The result sees Milan increase their lead over Inter at the summit of Serie A to five points with only seven games to go.
AC Milan's Mark Van Bommel consoles Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder at the end of their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan April 2, 2011.
AC Milan's Antonio Cassano reacts after scoring a penalty kick against Inter Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan April 2, 2011.
AC Milan's Pato (L) challenges Inter Milan's Esteban Cambiasso during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan April 2, 2011.
(Reuters)
