Alessandro Bastoni's header, Lautaro Martinez's first goal since November 3 and Hakan Calhanoglu's penalty sent them top of Serie A with a fifth successive league win as the defending champions cruised to a 3-0 win over stubborn Cagliari on Saturday.
Central defender Bastoni passed the ball to former Cagliari midfielder Niccolò Barella's free-kick over goalkeeper Simone Scovit in the 54th minute to put Inter on course to move above Atalanta on goal difference, as well as two points clear of third-placed Napoli.
Martinez ended his empty run with a direct shot in the 19th minute before the end and Calhanoglu sent Scovit the wrong way seven minutes later after a handball from Mateusz Viteska inside the penalty area.
The result kept Cagliari in the relegation zone after their fourth consecutive league defeat, although 15th-placed Lecce are only two points ahead of Gli Isolani.
Cagliari drew with Milan, Juventus and Roma this season, and coach Davide Nicola's team almost equalized shortly before Martinez's goal, but Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a brave save from Roberto Piccoli when the striker passed into the goal.
Martinez had the best opportunity in the first half, as he headed Calhanoglu's cross in the 28th minute from the goal line in an extraordinary effort.
Piccoli could have put Cagliari ahead had he connected on a pass five minutes later, and Scovit cleared a half-volley from Barella on the verge of half-time.
Former Fiorentina, Everton and Barcelona defender Yerry Mina was a nuisance for Inter before the end of the first half, but was replaced in the second half by Vietska due to a calf injury.
Atalanta can edge out Inter when they visit fourth-placed Lazio on Saturday (7.45pm GMT), while Napoli host second-placed Venezia on Sunday (2pm).
Italian League results today: Genoa wins over Empoli
In other Serie A matches on Saturday, Milan Badelj and Caleb Ekuban scored goals in the second half to give Genoa a 2-1 win at 12th-placed Empoli, who are level with them on points.
Sebastiano Esposito had the chance to equalize from the penalty spot after Badelli's first goal, but player of the match, Nicola Layali, hit the woodwork.
On-loan Inter striker Esposito enjoyed a measure of redemption when he struck back with 16 minutes remaining in Empoli's third successive one-goal defeat.
Parma scored in the last seconds!!! 🚨🚨🚨#Parma Monza 2-1 pic.twitter.com/ec1CwaIOtU
– Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 28, 2024
Parma left the score until the 98th minute to move four points away from the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over its guest Monza, with Lautaro Valente deciding the match.
In new Monza coach Salvatore Boccetti's first match, bottom side Pablo Mari was sent off for a second yellow card in the 54th minute after a VAR review, and Hernani converted the resulting penalty.
The equalizer scored by Pedro Pereira five minutes before the end of normal time gave only a brief hope to the visitors, who are five points away from the safety zone.
