Inter Milan goes six clear with Torino win

BEIJING, April 22 -- Inter Milan took a big step towards retaining its Serie A title when Julio Cruz's header sealed a nervous 1-0 win at Torino on Sunday.

Roberto Mancini's side has moved six points clear of second-placed AS Roma, which drew 1-1 at home to lowly Livorno on Saturday and lost Francesco Totti to a serious knee injury.

With four matches left, Inter would have to completely lose its way to lose the scudetto now, although it meets rival AC Milan in two week's time.

Gianni De Biasi, starting his third stint in charge of Torino, saw his struggling side put the visitors under severe pressure but Cruz's near-post diving header from a corner on half an hour was just enough for Inter in the driving rain.

Earlier, Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero hit a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory at Atalanta, which means third-placed Juve is almost assured of a Champions League qualifying place.

The 33-year-old, who looks set to miss out on Euro 2008, again reminded Italy coach Roberto Donadoni of his worth with a close-range effort, a cool finish and a fierce shot which brought him his 17th goal of the league campaign.

Kaka also scored three, including two penalties, to help AC Milan keep its Champions League qualification hopes alive with a 5-1 win over relegation-threatened Reggina.

Milan in fifth is 12 points behind Juventus with four games left but cannot overhaul its rival because of its inferior head-to-head record against Juve.

Sixth-placed Sampdoria, on the same points as Milan, won 3-0 at home to Udinese and can theoretically catch Juventus, whom it hosts in the final game of the season.

Fiorentina, in the fourth and final Champions League spot, is four ahead of Milan and Sampdoria after beating Palermo 1-0 on Saturday. Sampdoria travels to Florence next weekend.

Cards flew at the other end of the table where Cagliari had two sent off but moved further from the drop zone with a 2-0 win over lowly Empoli.

Struggler Catania beat nine-man Lazio 1-0 but Parma had three dismissed in a 2-1 home defeat by Napoli and remains in trouble.

Livorno, Empoli and Reggina are in the relegation zone, all with 30 points.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)