The results left Inter, whose Serie A record of 17 consecutive wins was ended on Wednesday after a 1-1 home draw with Udinese, with a massive 16-point lead over their closest rivals, with 12 games left to play.

Inter fell behind to Cristiano Lucarelli's superb free-kick before goals from Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealed victory for the Scudetto holders.

Inter had to play the last eight minutes with 10 men following the late dismissal of Maicon for sarcastically applauding the referee after the Brazilian defender had been shown his first yellow card.

Reigning champions Inter remain unbeaten on 70 points, followed by Roma on 54 points.

AC Milan boosted their chances of claiming a Champions League place for next season with a 3-1 home win over Chievo in the day's late match.

Sergio Pellissier gave Chievo a 17th-minute lead, before AC Milan responded with goals from Alberto Gilardino, Massimo Oddo and Clarence Seedorf.

Victory left AC Milan tied for fourth place on 40 points with Lazio, who play Sampdoria on Sunday.

AC Milan host Celtic in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday after drawing 0-0 in the first leg.

Ibrahimovic, whose goal for Inter was his 12th of the season, refused to go as far as to say that the title race was effectively over.

"Everything is in our hands and we have to make sure we don't make any mistakes from now until the end of the season," the 25-year-old Sweden said.

Inter's gritty victory on the Tuscan coast was the ideal way to go into Tuesday's crunch Champions League last 16, second leg away to Valencia. Inter threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in the first leg.

Ibrahimovic insisted Inter were capable of getting the win they need in Valencia that would take them through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

"We're going to Valencia to win," he said. "We're strong and playing with confidence."

Any lingering hopes Roma may have had of catching Inter were practically extinguished after they were held at relegation-threatened Ascoli.

Andrea Soncin gave Ascoli a first-half lead before Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson salvaged a point for Roma with an 85th-minute equaliser.

Roma now have to pick themselves up for Tuesday's vital Champions League last 16 match away to French champions Lyon. The first leg in Rome ended in a goalless draw.

Inter came within inches of taking the lead in the 21st minute at Livorno when Dejan Stankovic's right-footed shot rattled the inside of the post.

The visitors had nothing to show for a bright start, and they fell behind against the run of play in the 27th minute.

Marco Materazzi chopped down Lucarelli just outside the box and the Livorno captain bent the resulting free-kick around the wall and into the top corner.

Inter were again denied by the woodwork when Marco Amelia tipped Fabio Grosso's strike onto the post.

Inter persevered and deservedly levelled the score in the 32nd minute.

Grosso crossed for Ibrahimovic whose flick fell perfectly for Julio Cruz, and the Argentine striker fired past Amelia from close range.

Inter enjoyed a large slice of luck to take the lead in the 66th minute.

A free-kick was touched short to Ibrahimovic whose low shot clipped the feet of Livorno defender Rahman Rezaei, completely sending Amelia the wrong way.