Diego Milito's four goals are not enough as Inter Milan lose ground after sharing the spoils with Palermo in a spectacular eight-goal thriller.
The Nerazzurri continued with their recent slump after being held to a frustrating 4-4 draw by Palermo in an incredible encounter played below freezing temperatures at the San Siro stadium on Wednesday.
Palermo started brightly and surprisingly went ahead in the 17th minute when Andrea Mantovani met a Fabrizio Miccoli corner-kick with a simple assertion at the back post.
But their joy was short-lived, as five minutes later Diego Milito opened his personal account with a cool finish past Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano after good lead-up work from Brazilian defender Maicon.
A second-half that would warrant six goals, got underway in the best possible manner for the visitors, as in the 52nd minute Miccoli went on a superb solo run and beat Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar with an accurate finish.
But to the dismay of Palermo, Milito scored twice in the 55th and 61st minutes to turn the game in Inter's favour for the first time. After converting a penalty kick, Milito latched onto a penetrating through ball from Esteban Cambiasso, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball home to complete his hat-trick.
The topsy-turvy encounter continued to entertain, as five minutes later Miccoli drew the visitors level, when he connected to a quick Federico Balzaretti cross with an unstoppable diving header.
Due to the end-to-end soccer fabricated by both sides, it was no surprise when Milito put Inter ahead once again with his fourth goal of the match in the 69th minute.
Following a brilliant right-wing run from Inter captain Javier Zanetti which ended in an accurate cross into the area, Milito reacted to a Giampaolo Pazzini miss-kick to poke the ball into the roof of the net.
However, the visitors had the last laugh, as five minutes from full-time Miccoli broke on a swift left-sided run towards goal, entered the area and beat a hapless Julio Cesar with a trademark strike to complete his hat-trick and earn Palermo a justified point.
Palermo started brightly and surprisingly went ahead in the 17th minute when Andrea Mantovani met a Fabrizio Miccoli corner-kick with a simple assertion at the back post.
But their joy was short-lived, as five minutes later Diego Milito opened his personal account with a cool finish past Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano after good lead-up work from Brazilian defender Maicon.
A second-half that would warrant six goals, got underway in the best possible manner for the visitors, as in the 52nd minute Miccoli went on a superb solo run and beat Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar with an accurate finish.
But to the dismay of Palermo, Milito scored twice in the 55th and 61st minutes to turn the game in Inter's favour for the first time. After converting a penalty kick, Milito latched onto a penetrating through ball from Esteban Cambiasso, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball home to complete his hat-trick.
The topsy-turvy encounter continued to entertain, as five minutes later Miccoli drew the visitors level, when he connected to a quick Federico Balzaretti cross with an unstoppable diving header.
Due to the end-to-end soccer fabricated by both sides, it was no surprise when Milito put Inter ahead once again with his fourth goal of the match in the 69th minute.
Following a brilliant right-wing run from Inter captain Javier Zanetti which ended in an accurate cross into the area, Milito reacted to a Giampaolo Pazzini miss-kick to poke the ball into the roof of the net.
However, the visitors had the last laugh, as five minutes from full-time Miccoli broke on a swift left-sided run towards goal, entered the area and beat a hapless Julio Cesar with a trademark strike to complete his hat-trick and earn Palermo a justified point.
