UPDATE 3-Soccer-Inter win 1-0 to go eight points clear

(Adds AC Milan win)

By Paul Virgo

ROME, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a dubious penalty for Inter Milan to beat second-from-bottom Empoli 1-0 on Sunday and pull eight points clear at the top of Serie A.

Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar saved a late Luca Saudati spot kick for the Italian champions, who had Patrick Vieira sent off in the 39th minute.

Inter have 53 points from 21 games, while second-placed AS Roma stay on 45 after losing 3-0 at lowly Siena.

Third-placed Juventus trail the leaders by 12 after being held 1-1 at home by basement club Cagliari.

In the late Sunday game European champions AC Milan moved up to fifth with a 1-0 win at fourth-placed Fiorentina thanks to a goal by Brazilian substitute Pato.

After Empoli had made the early running, Inter took the lead at the San Siro in the 34th minute with a penalty conceded for hand ball by Ighli Vannucchi, although television replays suggested the ball hit the midfielder's face.

France midfielder Vieira went shortly afterwards for protesting about a yellow card he had just been given. It was the third time in the last four competitive games that Inter have had a player sent off.