Inter Back In Title Picture

Inter Milan must be considered genuine title contenders once again after their 1-0 victory over neighbors AC Milan in Sunday's derby.

Diego Milito scored the only goal of the game with a clinical left-footed finish after a mis-kick from Ignazio Abate in the 54th minute at San Siro.

Claudio Ranieri's side have now won six games in a row and are just six points behind leaders Juventus who could only draw with Cagliari earlier in the day.

Ranieri is doing what he does best: undertaking a rescue mission for a club in need. The Nerazzurri are once again competitive under the Tinker Man, with Brazilian defender Maicon producing performances of old, and Diego Milito hitting form after struggling since Jose Mourinho's departure in 2010.

With Wesley Sneijder coming off the bench to make his first appearance since early November, Inter's prospects for 2012 look far more healthy after the dark days of Gian Piero Gasperini.

It was entertaining fare on Sunday and the result reinforces the notion that this could be the tightest Scudetto race in years with just six points separating the top five.

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Claudio Villa / Getty Images