AC MILAN all but sealed their fourth Italian league title in five seasons yesterday, after they beat Napoli 1-0 to go nine points clear at the top of the Serie A.
With just four matches left to play, Milan would need to lose three of them, while second placed Juventus win all of theirs to deprive Fabio Capello's mend.
Defender Christian Panucci struck the crucial goal for Milan after 13 minutes, nodding home Roberto Baggio's corner at the far post.
Capello tried to downplay his team's achievement saying.
"We haven't won anything yet. We've got a fair lead, but nothing more." Juventus's title hopes already looked to have been dashed by Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Sampdoria.
Away from the championship race, the day's heroes were Roy Hodgson's Inter Milan, who crushed bottom club Padova 8-2 after a hat trick from top scorer Marco Branca. England's Paul Ince headed home his second goal in the Serie A during first half injury time.
