Mauro Icardi headed a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Inter Milan forced a well deserved 1-0 victory over bitter rivals AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina at the San Siro. The Nerazurri were the better side throughout but looked as though they were going to be left frustrated until their captain popped up to decide the game at the death.

Both sides were coming into this 222nd edition of the Derby della Madonnina in great form. AC Milan had won their last three games in all competitions but Inter had six victories on the spin and it was they who dominated the first half at the San Siro.

In a slight piece of foreshadowing, Gianluigi Donnarumma was very uncertain on a cross into the box and flapped it back into the danger-area. Some good pressing from Inter saw Matteo Politano get in behind down the right and his low cross was cut out by Alessio Romagnoli who was lucky not to score an own-goal.

The Rossoneri remained very much under the cosh but Donnarumma showed the quality side of his game with a fine full-stretch save to keep out Ivan Perisic's header. The young goalkeeper was left helpless later in the half though as Stefan de Vrij hooked an effort against the woodwork.

Inter suffered injury problems throughout the game with both Radja Nainggolan and Perisic being forced off but they continued to boss the contest. Despite that, it looked as though it wasn't their night in front of goal as they continued to squander chances.

Just when it seemed like the game was petering out, a goal finally arrived. Matias Vecino whipped in a great cross and Donnarumma hesitated again, allowing the ball to pass him and Icardi had the simplest of headers into the unguarded net.

Inter Milan have now won seven consecutive games in all competitions but surely none of them will be as sweet as this one. To beat their rivals is good enough on its own but to do it in such dramatic fashion right at the end will feel even better. A theme of their recent winning run has been late goals and it shows the belief they currently have in the team. AC Milan can have few complaints about the result on the overall balance of play but that won't stop them being sick to their stomachs after losing so late on to what was a rather avoidable goal. They'll have trouble putting this defeat out of their minds.