Mancini's Inter earn draw in Milan derby

Joel Obi's first Serie A goal ensured a 1-1 draw between Milan and Internazionale in a full-blooded derby at San Siro.

Milan opened the scoring in the first half in emphatic style, with Jeremy Menez's brilliant volley putting Milan ahead, after Inter's Mauro Icardi had spurned a golden early chance for Inter.

Inter improved after the break and levelled through Obi, who seized on a poor clearance from Cristian Zapata and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy should have won it for the home side when he went clean through, but could only see his shot come back off the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Icardi also hit the bar as both sides pushed for a winner, but the game ended 1-1 leaving Milan and Inter 13 and 14 points off leaders Juventus, respectively.

7' - INTER CHANCE! HUGE chance for Inter's Icardi! Muntari passes the ball straight to the Inter striker who goes one-on-one with Lopez, who stands up well and makes the save!

10' - CLOSE! Another chance for Inter! This time Guarin finds space 25 yards out and drills a low left-footed shot at goal, which Lopez clings on to.

23' - GOAL! Milan 1-0 Inter: Milan take the lead through Menez! It's a beautiful goal by the Rossoneri. El Shaarawy finds space on the left and his pinpoint cross is vollied into the far corner by the inside of Menez's foot. Brilliant goal.

52' - CLOSE! Chance for Milan! Almost 2-0 as Bonaventura sees his shot deflect off the outstretched leg of Dodo and loop just wide of the post.

54' - SCRAMBLE! It's like a game of pinball in the Milan six-yard box as Kovacic drills a low cross into the danger area but Icardi, among others, cannot force the ball over the line and Milan hack it clear.

61' - GOAL! Milan 1-1 Inter: Obi scores for Inter! Zapata's poor clearance goes straight to Obi, who drills a daisy-cutter into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 1-1, game on!

76' - OFF THE BAR! What a miss by El Shaarawy! The striker goes clean through after being gifted possession and, with only Handanovic to beat, hits the top of the bar. He simply HAD to score!

79' - OFF THE BAR! This time Inter hit the upright! Icardi is picked out well from the right and the striker, who does well to keep his half-volley down, sees his shot graze the top of the bar.

AC Milan found the net with their first shot on target in this game.

Obi's goal was his first in Serie A, coming in his 54th appearance.

Can Roberto Mancini bring success back to Inter? Yes, but it'll be a long road. Mancini must take credit in this game for changing the tactics in the second half and attacking Milan's wide areas. It's a solid start to life back in Milan for the former Manchester City coach, but he'll need to dip into the transfer market in January if Inter hope to make it back into the Champions League.

Jeremy Menez (AC Milan): Perhaps not his finest display in a Milan shirt but he takes the plaudits for a truly brilliant volley. A superb strike and a very good shift by the Frenchman.

Milan: Diego Lopez 7; Rami 7, Zapata 6, Mexes 7, De Sciglio 7; Bonaventura 7, Essien 7, Muntari 6, El Shaarawy 6; Menez 8; Torres 6. Subs: Poli 6, Honda 6.

Inter: Handanovic 7; Nagatomo 6, Ranocchia 6, Juan Jesus 7, Dodò 6; Guarin 7, Kuzmanovic 7, Obi 8; Kovacic 7; Icardi 6, Palacio 7. Subs: Osvaldo N/A, Hernanes 6, M'Vila N/A