Tommaso Rocchi grabbed a late winner as struggling Empoli earned a surprise 1-0 triumph against 10-man Inter Milan to register their first away victory of the season.

Alberto Zaccheroni's men had hoped to bounce back from last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Parma and a home clash against struggling Empoli seemed to represent a perfect opportunity to register three much-needed points.

But the hosts, missing the injured Christian Vieri, looked lightweight and Empoli rode their luck before snatching the only goal of the game in the last minute.

Inter's cause was not helped by the senseless dismissal of Turkey midfielder Belozoglu Emre 17 minutes into the second half.

Having been booked seconds earlier, Emre had to watch his step, but instead he spoke out of turn to referee Gianluca Paparesta and was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon.

The result means Inter are now 11 points off top spot and their Scudetto hopes look to have been extinguished for another season.

The home side actually started the game well, and only a miraculous save from Empoli goalkeeper Luca Bucci prevented them from taking the lead after 12 minutes.

Matias Almeyda's cross from the right was perfect for Julio Cruz and the Argentinian's shot on the turn appeared destined for the net until Bucci stuck out a hand to turn the ball over the bar.

Inter threatened again after 19 minutes, but defender Ivan Cordoba failed to control Andy van der Meyde's left-wing corner just three yards away from Bucci's goal.

Empoli had offered little going forward in the opening 45 minutes and Inter wasted another golden opportunity to take the lead shortly before the interval.

Javier Zanetti burst down the right, played a neat one-two with Van der Meyde, and cracked a shot against the legs of a defender.

The rebound fell to Dutch international Van der Meyde, whose effort was blocked by Jorge Vargas.

Zaccheroni must have asked his players for more of the same when they gathered in the dressing room for the half-time chat, as it appeared only a matter of time before they would open the scoring.

Indeed, they could have taken the lead twice inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Giovanni Pasquale whipped in a cross after 50 minutes which Obafemi Martins only just failed to make contact with, and then Martins headed wide when unmarked after Almeyda had sent another excellent delivery into the box.

It took Empoli 57 minutes to register a serious attack of note, with Francesco Toldo getting down well to keep out Antonio Di Natale's cross-shot from the left.

Despite that rare foray forward, Empoli had spent the first hour on the back foot.

That instantly changed following the dismissal of Emre.

The combative midfielder was penalised, and booked, for a foul on Igli Vannucchi but instead of walking away afterwards he got involved in a heated discussion with the referee and was dismissed.

Sensing their chance, Empoli poured forward in search of the winner.

They came close when Di Natale shot wide with nine minutes to go and then the Italy international's first-time effort from outside the area crashed against Toldo's bar and away to safety.

Inter looked to have survived the onslaught but, with time running out, Francesco Tavano beat Jeremie Brechet before crossing into the area where Rocchi was waiting to slip the ball past Toldo.

Di Natale almost doubled their lead in stoppage-time, but his lob drifted wide.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Experts: Taipei closer to triggering crisis ( 2004-01-18) +At least 23 dead in Baghdad bombing ( 2004-01-19) +BMW drives wedge between rich and poor ( 2004-01-18) +SARS, bird flu watch stepped up ( 2004-01-18) +Bank cards get nod for HK use ( 2004-01-18)		+Henry sends Arsenal back to top ( 2004-01-19) +Inter on a rocchi road ( 2004-01-19) +Milan keep up the pressure ( 2004-01-19) +Soccer-Serie A: Struggling Lazio held by lowly Modena ( 2004-01-18) +Yao and Rockets bring Timberwolves back to earth ( 2004-01-18)