Serie A wrap: Milan finally lose, Cesena down Cagliari

Roma reignited the Serie A title race with a 1-0 win away to leaders AC Milan on Saturday, while Cesena beat Cagliari.

Milan, six points clear and unbeaten in seven league games, were threatening to pull away from the chasing pack before the arrival of Claudio Ranieri’s Roma to the San Siro.

The hosts dominated the possession count and had the best of the early chances, with Brazilian international Robinho and former Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic both going close.

But the home side failed to make the breakthrough, allowing Roma to slowly assert themselves in the second half.

Former Milan man Marco Borriello had a chance to open the scoring on the hour mark, but lost his footing, allowing Alessandro Nesta to intercept.

It was Borriello who claimed the last touch for the winner in the 69th minute, but the 28-year-old forward knew very little about it.

France midfielder Jeremy Menez – a threat for the visitors throughout the second half – sent in a cross from the right flank that struck Milan defender Ignazio Abate and ricocheted off Borriello and into the net.

Victory lifts Roma to fifth place, while Lazio, Napoli and Juventus can all move to within three points of Milan if they win on Sunday.

Cesena remain inside the relegation zone, but climbed to third from bottom, level on points with 17th-placed Brescia, following a 1-0 win over Cagliari.

Luis Jimenez notched the only goal of the game at a freezing Stadio Dino Manuzzi, but it was a worthy winner.

The Chilean international played a slick one-two with Emanuele Giaccherini, before gliding past a defender to guide the ball beyond Cagliari goalkeeper Michael Agazzi and into the net.

Cagliari remain 11th in the table, but three points gained for Cesena means they will avoid the embarrassment of propping up the table throughout the Serie A winter break.