Maicon keeps Mourinho smiling as Inter stretch lead

ROME: Inter Milan stretched their lead at the top of the Serie A table to nine points, for a day at least, after a crucial 2-1 victory at Siena on Saturday.

Brazilian full-back Maicon was the hero with both goals, either side of an equalizer from Moroccan Houssine Kharja, as the reigning three-time champions won for the eighth league match in a row.

Inter have not dropped points since October and will take a lead of between six and nine points into the three-week winter break, depending on how Juventus fare at Atalanta scheduled on Sunday .