ROME, Italy (AFP) — Promoted Sampdoria consigned AC Milan to a shock 1-0 defeat at San Siro yesterday, Andrea Costa scoring the winner in the second half to give Milan the worst possible start after a traumatic close season.

Milan, Serie A runners-up last term, had the spine ripped out of their squad over the summer, with superstars Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sold to Paris Saint-Germain and a glut of long-serving players moving on.

Sampdoria, who start the new campaign with a one-point deduction over the 'Calcioscommesse' betting scandal, were able to celebrate

their first goal at San Siro since the 2007-08 season.

It came in the 59th minute, when left-back Costa rose high above the home defence to head in a corner from the right.

That stirred the hosts into action, with Mario Yepes and Kevin-Prince Boateng hitting the woodwork.

But Ciro Ferrara's men held on to take the points, although there was an injury-time scare when Sampdoria's Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero had to be at his best to repel Boateng's header.

Sampdoria were the worthy winners though, and could have even taken a first-half lead via lone Brazilian striker Eder.

Later, Inter Milan showed their city rivals how it should be done with a 3-0 win at another promoted

side, Pescara.

Dutch international Wesley Sneijder opened the scoring against the run of play in the 17th minute after a free-flowing move, sweeping the ball home from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later, Sneijder found new signing Antonio Cassano, formerly of Milan, who slid the ball over to Diego Milito to convert from close range.

The hosts had an eye-catching opportunity to reduce the deficit just before the break but Emmanuel Cascione's header was kept out by the lightning reflexes of Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi.

Milito then set up Inter's third nine minutes from time when he slid the ball into the box from the right for Philippe Coutinho to

slot home.

Inter sit top of the fledgling table alongside Napoli, who came

away from their trip to Palermo with a 3-0 win, courtesy of goals from Marek Hamsik, Christian Maggio and Edinson Cavani.

Elsewhere, Chievo beat Bologna 2-0 and Genoa saw off visitors Cagliari by the same scoreline.