MILAN - Inter Milan beat AC Milan 4-3 in a thrilling derby at the San Siro on Saturday to move three points clear at the top of Serie A.

Inter Milan's Marco Materazzi (R) celebrates after scoring with his team mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic against AC Milan during their Italian Serie A soccer match in Milan October 28, 2006. [Reuters]

Goals from Argentine Hernan Crespo, Serb Dejan Stankovic and Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic put champions Inter 3-0 ahead inside 47 minutes.

Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf pulled one back for Milan before Inter's Marco Materazzi made it 4-1 in the 68th minute.

Materazzi's excessive goal celebration saw the Italy defender sent off for a second yellow card and his side were then left to struggle with 10 men.

Alberto Gilardino headed a second for Milan in the 75th and Kaka then hooked the ball home to make it 4-3 in injury time but Inter hung on for victory.

Inter are top with 21 points followed by Palermo, who visit Fiorentina on Sunday, with 18. Third-placed AS Roma won 1-0 at Udinese on Saturday to move on to 17 points.