A first half header from Ronaldinho has given AC Milan an inspiring derby win. At the same time, it inflicted Jose Mourinho's first loss in charge of Inter Milan.

Ronaldinho found the back of the net in the 37th minute with a well-placed header after a cross from compatriot Kaka. In front of over 79,000 fans at the San Siro, the battle of the co-tenants was dominated by the rossoneri.

Another Brazilian, Inter's Adriano, had several opportunities to level the scores but those chances went begging including an injury-time opportunity which went just wide of the upright.

Inter also had two send-offs late in the match, the first being Burdisso in the 77th minute followed soon after by the extraordinary send-off of Materazzi, who was on the bench at the time, drawing the attention of the referee for loud and abusive language in protest at an on-field incident.