The visitors frustrated the reigning champions for 55 minutes before goals from Brazilian Maxwell and Argentine striker Hernan Crespo ended the visitors' stubborn resistance.

A far from straightforward victory left Inter still unbeaten on 79 points, 20 ahead of second-placed Roma, who drew 1-1 with AC Milan on Saturday.

Inter, who finished third last season but were awarded the title after Juventus and AC Milan were found guilty of match-fixing, need just eight more points from their remaining nine games to be certain of retaining the Scudetto.

Crespo, who played for Parma when he first arrived in Italy before spells with Lazio and AC Milan, said he was looking forward to becoming a champion for the first time.

"Unfortunately I have been a runner-up three times in Italy, but I think my luck's about to change," he said.

"We have a big advantage, and although it's mathematically possible that we can be caught, it looks as if the title race is over."

Lazio strengthened their grip on third place with a 4-2 win at Udinese. A seventh consecutive victory for the 2000 champions put them on 52 points, seven behind city rivals Roma but four ahead of Palermo who could only manage a goalless draw at Torino.

Luca Saudati scored twice as Empoli boosted their chances of a Champions League place for next season with a resounding 4-1 home win against bottom club Ascoli.

Victory for the division's surprise package left them in fifth place on 45 points, three less than Palermo but one more than AC Milan.

Fiorentina, who are chasing a UEFA Cup place, threw away a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw at Atalanta while Cagliari boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 home win over fellow relegation candidates Messina.

Livorno captain Cristiano Lucarelli scored a hat-trick in his side's 4-1 hammering of Catania, while Chievo remain in danger of the drop after a 1-1 draw at home to Sampdoria.

Inter were struggling to find a way through against Parma before a moment of magic from Maxwell broke the stalemate.

The 25-year-old wingback chased a wayward pass from compatriot Maicon and kept the ball from going out of play with a clever touch that also enabled him to get past Damiano Ferronetti tight on the left touchline.

The former Ajax player then exchanged passes with Crespo before swerving past three Parma defenders and firing an angled shot into the top corner with his left foot.

Crespo practically extinguished Parma's hopes of taking something from the match in the 70th minute, tapping into an empty net after a square pass from Adriano.

Parma threw caution to the wind in the last 20 minutes and Inter were indebted to their keeper Francesco Toldo for a string of fine saves that preserved their two-goal cushion.

On Saturday Roma and AC Milan, who are both involved in next week's Champions League quarter-finals, played out a draw at the Olympic stadium.

French defender Philippe Mexes gave Roma an early lead with a rising drive from the edge of the box, before Alberto Gilardino equalised with a glancing header.

In Saturday's other match, Siena eased their relegation fears with a precious 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Reggina.