Rafael Leao claims derby honours for AC Milan in Serie A, Napoli retake top spot

AC Milan's 3-2 derby triumph over Inter Milan which put his team level with league leaders Napoli, 2-1 winners at Lazio thanks to rising star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Portugal winger Leao struck twice in each half in a pulsating clash at the San Siro, the first since Milan's takeover by US investment fund RedBird was completed in the week, which put the champions a point ahead of Atalanta and Roma at the summit.

Fans bounced in the stands after a thrilling match full of goalmouth incident which was decided by Leao and Olivier Giroud, who after Marcel Brozovic's 21st minute opener for Inter put Milan two goals to the good on the hour mark. "If you want to improve you need talent and intelligence and Leao has both of those," said Milan coach Stefano Pioli.

"Every time we put him in one-on-one situations he's a huge weapon for us." However they also had the magnificent Mike Maignan to thank for the three points after the France goalkeeper pulled off four superb stops from Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko -- also a scorer -- and Hakan Calhanoglu. Leao's second came after a mesmerising piece of dribbling and close control, and with the transfer window now shut and Chelsea rumours died down he will be key to Milan's Champions League campaign which begins at Salzburg on Tuesday.

A second defeat in five matches leaves an Inter team without the injured Romelu Lukaku sixth and with Bayern Munich coming to town on Wednesday night. Napoli lead Milan on goal difference after new boy Khvicha Kvaratskhelia continued his sensational start to life in Italy with the winner at Lazio, seventh after their first defeat of the campaign.