Inter stay in control

Earlier in the day, a last-minute Christian Panucci header had handed Roma victory against Genoa and briefly brought the Giallorossi level on points with the champions.

In Milan, Atalanta striker Sergio Floccari pulled one back for the visitors after the break, but Inter held on to extend their unbeaten run to 13 domestic games this season.

Honduran striker Suazo opened the scoring with a crisp strike past Ferdinando Coppolo in the Atalanta goal after a neat one-two with Julio Cruz on the edge of the box.

And when the pair reversed their roles on the half hour mark - Suazo's cross-shot hitting the far post before falling kindly for Cruz to slot into an empty net - Inter looked like running out comfortable winners.

But credit to Atalanta, who pulled one back just nine minutes later when Floccari netted with a superb half-volley from 25 yards.

The game took on a new complexion after the break as the visitors began to look more comfortable on the ball and threaten when going forward - more like the form that had helped then into sixth place heading into the weekend's action.

But Atalanta - who had substitute Simone Inzaghi sent off in the last minute for a challenge on Roma keeper Doni - could not find a way through the Inter back line, and ultimately travelled back to Bergamo with nothing to show for their efforts.

At the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Italy defender Panucci - a former Genoa player - crept in unmarked at the back post to nod David Pizarro's 90th minute free-kick past goalkeeper Rubinho to seal the points for Roma.

The game - the first since the tragic events of two weeks ago, when Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri was shot dead by police - seemed destined to end in a goalless stalemate, even though the woodwork was rattled at both ends.

Midfielder Matteo Paro saw his blockbuster on 69 minutes cannon back off the upright with Roma keeper Doni beaten all ends up before Mirko Vucinic's header was pushed onto the cross bar by Rubinho six minutes later.

But Panucci's late intervention ensured Roma moved ahead of Fiorentina and into second place, until tomorrow at least, when the Viola play at Reggina.