Inter beat CSKA to go top

Italian giants Inter Milan battled back from a goal down to beat Russian champions CSKA Moscow 2-1 in a Champions League Group G clash here on Tuesday to jump to the top of the table. Hernan Crespo and Walter Samuel scored one apiece for Inter, while Brazilian striker Joao was on target for the Red Army side.

Inter now have six points from three matches, two points ahead of Turkish side Fenerbahce, who play PSV Eindhoven later on Tuesday, while CSKA remain bottom with just one point.

"It was really difficult match," Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. "CSKA played very well in the first half, while we had certain problems.

"Luckily after the break we managed to increase productivity and changed things for the better."

In the 32nd minute CSKA playmaker Daniel Carvalho fed striker Joao on the edge of the penalty box. The Brazilian marksman beat Inter defender Ivan Cordoba and lobbed the ball into the top right-handed corner over helpless goalie Julio Cesar to lift the hosts 1-0 up.

Six minutes after the interval Crespo levelled at 1-1 firing in from close range with an unopposed shot after a mixup in the CSKA defence.

Inter wrapped up the points when Walter Samuel netted the visitors winning goal beating Mandrykin with an eight-metre header.