HERNANES THE MATCH WINNER AS INTER BEAT LAZIO

ROME - A brace from Hernanes and a victory from behind. Inter put in a good performance at the Stadio Olimpico to come away with all three points from their match against Lazio. The lads showed guts and determination in a game that had everything: two red cards and even a missed penalty from Icardi were just some of the highlights.

There was cagey opening to the match with both sides compact and well organised at the back. After three minutes the hosts threatened down the right flank. Candreva cut inside and curled a left-footed effort, Handanovic pushed the ball away and Basta shot wide from the rebound. Five minutes later, Lazio took the lead. The ball broke to Felipe Anderson on the left, he burst clear of Medel and squared it for Candreva who finished with his right from inside the box. Inter though were having none of it. Icardi very nearly levelled on 18 minutes after he was well found by a gorgeous ball from Hernanes. Maurito though shot over.

There were chances at either end. Parolo twice went close to making it 2-0 on the 20-minute mark but first Handanovic, then Ranocchia denied him. The first major twist in the tale would come on 25 minutes. Palacio raced clear and Mauricio brought him down. Mr Massa was in no doubts and showed the defender a red card. From the resulting free-kick Hernanes drilled the ball into the corner with his left and produced his trademark somersault to celebrate. Inter, with a man advantage, pressed forward in search of a second. On 32 minutes D'Ambrosio escaped down the left and cut the ball back nicely for Palacio whose sidefooted effort caused Marchetti problems, before the Italian eventually clutched the ball at the second attempt. The keeper was called into action once again just before the interval, doing well to deal with Guarin's free-kick. The first half ended in similar fashion albeit at the other end, Handanovic alert to the danger of Biglia's set-piece.

Inter took the game to their opponents in the second half. Hernanes again tried his luck from a dead-ball situation, this time with his right, with Marchetti once again equal to the task. On 56 minutes D'Ambrosio again got away down the left before finding Palacio. The Argentine controlled the ball before playing in Podolski but the German shot over. Just before the hour mark Klose nearly restored Lazio's advantage. The German sprung the offside trap and found himself one on one with Handanovic. The Nerazzurri keeper though did really well to hold the ball. Two minutes later the game would take another dramatic turn. Icardi rounded Marchetti who sent him tumbling in the area. The referee awarded a penalty and dismissed the goalkeeper. On came Berisha though and saved the penalty with his first touch.

That miss might have taken the wind out of Inter's sails. Instead, the Nerazzurri kept on pressing, moving the ball patiently until an opportunity presented itself, comfortable with a two-man advantage. Kovacic powered forward and fed Podolski who didn't connect as he would have liked and Berisha made a comfortable save. It was one-way traffic: the Nerazzurri produced three chances in as many minutes with time ticking down, two through Podolski and one via Palacio. The goal was coming. And what a relief it was when it finally arrived. Kovacic began the move with a clipped ball over the top and Palacio waited for the perfectly-timed run from Hernanes. The Prophet struck a crsip low finish to send the travelling support into ecstasy.

Lazio tried to respond but Inter were solid and kept the Biancocelesti at bay. It all ended 2-1 to Inter. Palacio had it spot on at the end when he said, "We won a huge game and it had been a long while since we played like this. We're delighted." And how could they not be?

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LE PAROLE DI MISTER MANCINI POST LAZIO INTER

LAZIO 1 INTER 2