He has played only two Serie A games this season but Inter Milan midfielder Felipe Melo justified his 'Pitbull' nickname on Sunday after Chievo midfielder Paul Mpoku suffered a fractured cheekbone following a mid-air clash.

Inter's 1-0 win at the Bentegodi Stadium saw Roberto Mancini's men remain two points clear of Torino, with fellow title hopefuls Roma in third a point further adrift following a 2-2 draw at home to Sassuolo.

But events at the end of a fiery encounter ensured it finished in controversy.

Chievo coach Rolando Maran was sent off for reacting angrily after Melo elbowed on-loan Standard Liege midfielder Mpoku in the right cheekbone during a mid-air challenge in the closing minutes.

Chievo later released a statement claiming the DR Congo international had been diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone.

"Chievo announces that Paul Mpoku, following a clash in the 38th minute of the second half with Felipe Melo -- an incident that led to the expulsion of coach Rolando Maran -- has suffered a fracture of the right cheekbone," said the statement.

When Melo was asked about the incident afterwards, his comments did little to soothe Mpoku's pain.

"Football is a contact sport. If you don't like it, there's always tennis," said the 32-year-old.

Inter's opponents, it appears, have been warned.

Melo, who signed for the Nerazzurri during the summer, was known as the 'Pitbull' at Galatasaray for his no-nonsense approach to opposition players.

At the 2010 World Cup he was controversially sent off after stamping on Dutch international Arjen Robben, an incident that many Brazil fans believed was instrumental in their quarter-final exit at the hands of the Dutch.

Melo made his Inter debut in last week's derby win (1-0) over AC Milan, when he earned a yellow card for a rash challenge on Mario Balotelli moments after the striker had come off the bench.

It was not the first time Balotelli has felt Melo up close. While playing at former club Juventus in the 2009-2010 season, Melo was sent off after elbowing the then teenaged striker, who was at Inter.