Rafael Leao fired a warning shot to the rest of Serie A on Saturday with his brace in AC Milian's 3-2 derby triumph over Inter Milan which put his team level with league leaders Napoli, 2-1 winners at Lazio thanks to rising star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Portugal winger Leao struck twice in each half in a pulsating clash at the San Siro, the first since Milan's takeover by RedBird was completed in the week, which put the champions a point ahead of Atalanta and Roma at the summit.
Fans bounced in the stands after a thrilling match full of goalmouth incident which was decided by Leao and Olivier Giroud, who after Marcel Brozovic's 21st minute opener for Inter shot Milan two goals to the good on the hour mark.
"If you want to improve you need talent and intelligence and Leao has both of those," said Pioli.
"Every time we put him in one-on-one situations he's a huge weapon for us."
However they also had the magnificent Mike Maignan to thank for the three points after the France goalkeeper pulled off four superb stops from Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko -- also a scorer -- and Hakan Calhanoglu.
A second defeat in five matches leaves an Inter team without the injured Romelu Lukaku sixth, level on nine points with Juventus who underwhelmed in their 1-1 draw at Fiorentina.
An already breathless encounter which started with the usual spectacular pre-match displays from the fans kicked into an even higher gear in the second half.
Giroud put Milan ahead in the 54th minute in fortunate fashion when he met the irrepressible Leao's low cross with a scuffed finish which squeaked past Samir Handanovic.
Leao then nearly brought the house down six minutes later, a jinking run leaving him in front of Handanovic just yards from goal where he made no mistake.
Substitute Dzeko pulled a goal back seven minutes later and then Maignan stepped in to keep resurgent Inter out and ensure Milan claimed local bragging rights and top spot.
