Inter hot on heels of rivals after win at Cagliari
Inter Milan earned a 2-0 away win over Cagliari in Serie A thanks to an early goal from Lautaro Martinez and a late strike by substitute Francesco Pio Esposito, and moved up to fifth in the standings as it stepped up its chase for another Scudetto.
Cristian Chivu's side desperately needed a win to avoid losing touch at the top, having suffered two losses in its opening four games, and a second successive victory keeps it in touch with its title rivals.
Inter is on nine points, three off leader Napoli, which is at AC Milan on Monday (AEST), while Cagliari remains on seven points, dropping to 10th spot.
The visitors' job was made easier with a ninth-minute lead when Bastoni put a cross into the area and Martinez rose to send his header into the far corner from the edge of the six-yard box.
Cagliari is the Inter striker's favourite opponent, with Martinez netting his 12th goal against it.
The hosts failed to live up to expectations having lost just once previously this season, that defeat coming against Napoli.
The opening half was a scrappy, physical affair, constantly interrupted by the referee's whistle, but Cagliari never threatened Inter's early lead, with not a single shot on or off target registered before the break.
With Inter unable to create any real chances to increase its lead, however, the game remained delicately poised going into the second half.
Inter began to turn the screw after the break, Hakan Calhanoglu's strike from outside the area crashing off the upright, and Marcus Thuram drove through on goal but his effort was saved by keeper Elia Caprile.
Esposito was brought on by Inter, the 20-year-old striker coming up against his older brother Sebastiano.
Sebastiano, on loan at Cagliari from Inter, had a rare chance for the hosts from a corner but his volley attempt at the back post was well off target.
Inter was given a warning about its fragile lead when Michael Folorunsho smashed a header off the post from Esposito's corner and the visitors duly responded.
Davide Frattesi had a goalbound shot cleared off the line by Cagliari defender Riyad Idrissi and minutes later substitute Esposito scored his first Serie A goal.
Federico Dimarco pulled back the ball from the byline in the area and the unmarked Esposito was there to steer his shot into the back of the net and wrap up the win with eight minutes remaining.
