Pato's brace helped AC Milan take an important step toward the Serie A title as the Devils beat Inter Milan 3-0 Saturday in a classic city derby.After his first-minute opening goal, the in-form Brazil striker scored again in the second half after Inter had Romanian defender Cristian Chivu dismissed for
a last-man foul on the same Pato.
Seven games from the league's end, Milan have a five-point lead on the reigning champions, who on Sunday could lose second place to Napoli when the third-place Naples side welcome Lazio.
The Devils showed not to be missing the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic and produced a devastating start that found an early reward when Brazilian Robinho stormed in the box and was blocked by his countryman Julio Cesar, who stood no chance on the following flick from Pato.
Inter found no room to bounce back and ran more risks from a Robinho break and a volley from Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf that DOuglas Maicon seemed to block with his hand.
As Milan kept control of the game, Inter had a first chance on 19 minutes, when Giampaolo Pazzini managed to get the better of Gianluca Zambrotta to see his shot from inside the box saved by Christian Abbiati.
Pato threatened again on a counter attack and Dutchman Marc van Bommel was even more dangerous when Chivu deflected his long-range shot against the bar.
A contribution to the Devils' great showing came also from Christian Abbiati when the goalkeeper miraculously scraped from the goal line a corner-kick header from Thiago Motta.
The goalkeeper was then graced before the break as Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o incredibly missed the target from close range.
Inter's levelling effort took a crucial blow on 54 minutes with Chivu's dismissal and definitely waned when Pato on 62 minutes was in the right place to nod home a botched shot from Ignazio Abate.
The recovering Argentine ace Diego Milito came on for Pazzini, but failed to improve matters for Inter as Milan had further chances with Robinho and Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng before substitute Antonio Cassano converted a spot kick in the final minute.
Cassano then received a dismissal in injury time for a harsh, useless foul following a first booking received for taking off his jersey after his goal.
Earlier Saturday, strugglers Brescia got a lifeline with a 3-1 home victory against mid-table Bologna.
a last-man foul on the same Pato.
Seven games from the league's end, Milan have a five-point lead on the reigning champions, who on Sunday could lose second place to Napoli when the third-place Naples side welcome Lazio.
The Devils showed not to be missing the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic and produced a devastating start that found an early reward when Brazilian Robinho stormed in the box and was blocked by his countryman Julio Cesar, who stood no chance on the following flick from Pato.
Inter found no room to bounce back and ran more risks from a Robinho break and a volley from Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf that DOuglas Maicon seemed to block with his hand.
As Milan kept control of the game, Inter had a first chance on 19 minutes, when Giampaolo Pazzini managed to get the better of Gianluca Zambrotta to see his shot from inside the box saved by Christian Abbiati.
Pato threatened again on a counter attack and Dutchman Marc van Bommel was even more dangerous when Chivu deflected his long-range shot against the bar.
A contribution to the Devils' great showing came also from Christian Abbiati when the goalkeeper miraculously scraped from the goal line a corner-kick header from Thiago Motta.
The goalkeeper was then graced before the break as Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o incredibly missed the target from close range.
Inter's levelling effort took a crucial blow on 54 minutes with Chivu's dismissal and definitely waned when Pato on 62 minutes was in the right place to nod home a botched shot from Ignazio Abate.
The recovering Argentine ace Diego Milito came on for Pazzini, but failed to improve matters for Inter as Milan had further chances with Robinho and Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng before substitute Antonio Cassano converted a spot kick in the final minute.
Cassano then received a dismissal in injury time for a harsh, useless foul following a first booking received for taking off his jersey after his goal.
Earlier Saturday, strugglers Brescia got a lifeline with a 3-1 home victory against mid-table Bologna.
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