Ibrahimovic strikes twice to keep Inter flying high

Internazionale maintained their seven-point lead at the top of Serie A after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's double helped the champions to a 3-2 win at lowly Siena yesterday.

Roma moved back up to second after coming from behind to beat Atalanta 2-1 thanks to Francesco Totti's low free kick and Amantino Mancini's strike. Luciano Spalletti's side moved above Juventus, who drew 1-1 at Catania on Saturday and are three points behind in third.

Unbeaten Inter would not have expected such a tough match at Siena, where they secured the title last season. Ibrahimovic converted a debatable penalty in the 26th minute after Julio Cruz collided with Paul Codrea.

Siena equalised quickly when Inter defender Ivan Cordoba appeared to get the last touch under pressure from Massimo Maccarone, but the champions went back in front on the stroke of half-time when Esteban Cambiasso slid in Ibrahimovic's pass.

The Swede grabbed his 11th of the league campaign in the second half and despite Fernando Forestieri's late goal, Inter hung on for their seventh straight Serie A win and 11th successive victory in all competitions.

In the Eredivisie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a rumoured target for Manchester United in the January transfer window, scored twice as Ajax moved up to second place with a 6-1 defeat of AZ Alkmaar. PSV Eindhoven beat Feyenoord 2-1 on Saturday to remain on top.