AC Milan moved to within a point of Inter at the top of Serie A as Olivier Giroud’s quickfire double completed a second half turnaround for Stefano Pioli’s side in 130th instalment of the Derby della Madonnina.

After a sloppy start, Inter had the ball in the back of the net just ten minutes in when Denzel Dumfries ghosted in at the back post to arrow a header goalbound. Ivan Perisic’s cross was pinpoint, but the goal was chalked off for an infringement by the Croatian.

Marcelo Brozovic then tested the reflexes of Mike Maignan in the Milan goal, working space on the edge of the area before his shot was deflected by Pierre Kalulu in its route to goal.

Simone Inzaghi’s side ought to have been ahead on the 25th minute when Nicolo Barella collected the ball in the penalty area. Edin Dzeko worked the ball into Lautaro Martinez and when the Argentine laid it back for Barella, the midfielder flashed his effort wide under the attentions of Alessio Romagnoli.

An even bigger opportunity presented itself just minutes later, leaving Inzaghi with his head in his hands on the touchline. Martinez’s through pass was bobbled through to the marauding Dumfries but, with just the goalkeeper to beat, the Dutchman shot straight at the diving Maignan.

Inter’s first half dominance was then eventually rewarded in the 37th minute. Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner sailed to the back post where Perisic, without a Milan player in the vicinity, calmy cushioned his sidefoot volley into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

The positive news for Milan was that their performance could only improve after the interval, and they went close from a speculative effort from Tonali after impressive tenacity from Ismael Bennacer to recover the ball in midfield.

Brahim Diaz – who replaced the ineffective Franck Kessie in the second period – showed his guile in the 64th minute when he burst through the Inter midfield. The Spaniard then teed up Rafael Leao, but the winger could only arrow his shot high and wide with Milan Skriniar closing in.

Out of nothing, Milan then equalised. Inter were screaming for a free-kick when Alexis Sanchez was bundled over in midfield, although play continued as Milan poured forward. Diaz collected the ball on the edge of the area before his cross-cum-shot bobbled across goal where Olivier Giroud stabbed home at the back post.

With Inter on the ropes, Milan completed their turnaround in the 78th minute. Giroud was fed with his back to goal before the Frenchman spun Stefan de Vrij in the area and curled his effort into the bottom corner.

Theo Hernandez was dismissed in stoppage time for a reckless lunge on Dumfries, but Milan held out for a crucial derby victory.