Inter Milan moved to the summit of Serie A on Sunday after edging Genoa 2-1, helped by slip-ups from their main title rivals earlier in the day.
The Nerazzurri knew victory would send them top after AC Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by Sassuolo and defending champions Napoli suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Udinese.
Inter made their chance count at the Luigi Ferraris, with German defender Yann Bisseck opening the scoring before the break and captain Lautaro Martínez doubling the advantage in the second half.
Genoa threatened a late comeback when Portuguese forward Vitinha pulled one back in the 68th minute, but Simone Inzaghi’s side held firm to secure all three points.
The win lifted Inter one point clear of Milan at the top, with Napoli now a further point behind in third place.
Earlier, Napoli missed the opportunity to go first as their three-match winning run ended in Udine. Two goals were ruled out before Jurgen Ekkelenkamp struck the decisive goal in the 73rd minute to hand Udinese victory.
With injuries continuing to disrupt their squad, Napoli were left to rue a missed chance after Milan’s earlier stumble.
At the San Siro, Sassuolo frustrated Milan with a spirited display. Ismaël Koné gave the visitors an early lead before teenager Davide Bartesaghi levelled on the half hour.
The 19-year-old then netted his first Serie A goals with another strike after the interval, only for Armand Laurienté to restore parity in the 77th minute and earn Sassuolo a point.
Despite the draw, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri struck a positive note afterwards.
“We played well,” Allegri told DAZN. “Some will say we dropped two points, but I think we gained one that could prove important. We need to tighten up defensively, but being in the top four was our target at the start of the season.”
Inter, Milan, Bologna and Napoli will all be absent from Serie A action next weekend as they travel to Saudi Arabia for the Italian Super Cup.
