MILAN - Inter won an entertaining encounter at the Meazza thanks to Gary Medel's first-half drive which saw the Nerazzurri beat Roma 1-0 and move above their opponents at the top of the Serie A table.
After a cautious few opening minutes, Gervinho showed a burst of pace but found his path blocked by the Nerazzurri rearguard. Then on 7 minutes Guarin attempted an audacious shot from inside his own half, only for Szczesny to get back in position in time.
Dzeko had a good chance when he rose well to meet Digne's cross on the quarter-hour mark but Handanovic was alert to keep it out. Two minutes later Ljajic linked up with Brozovic before the Croat centered for the Serb, with Rudiger getting a crucial touch to ruin the chance. Medel latched onto the loose ball but smashed it into the side netting.
Down the other end Maicon let fly with an effort from inside the box, Handanovic made the save and the ball dropped to Dzeko with the goalmouth gaping. D'Ambrosio hurled himself in front of the Bosnian to keep the scores intact.
Jovetic then fired over from outside the box before the Montenegrin had a hand in what proved to be the winner on 30 minutes. The No.10 teed up Medel 25 yards out and the Chilean unleashed a low drive that fizzed into the bottom corner beyond Szczesny's dive to make it 1-0.
The Nerazzurri managed to stifle the visitors' attempts to respond and take their lead into the dressing rooms at half time.
Medel was forced to leave the field five minutes after the restart, the Meazza applauding his departure as Kondogbia came on in his place. Roma pressed forward seeking an equaliser and Inter squandered a couple of great counter-attacking opportunities with Guarin and Ljajic.
Handanovic then earned his crust in spectacular fashion by pulling off four saves in as many seconds, first from Florenzi's long-range effort, then Salah's follow-up and an unfortunate rebound off Miranda and finally Salah's header.
Midway through the half the Giallorossi were reduced to ten men when Pjanic collected his second yellow card for handball.
Inter almost made it 2-0 through Brozovic when Palacio's cross was knocked down by Perisic but the midfielder's acrobatic finish was beaten away by Szczesny at the near post.
Roma mustered a late rally and left themselves exposed to Perisic's counter-attack but Szczesny was quick off his line to deny him.
The Nerazzurri then saw out the five minutes of stoppage time to take the points and top spot at Roma's expense.
Inter 1-0 Roma (HT 1-0)
Scorer: Medel 30.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio (23 Ranocchia 79), 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 55 Nagatomo; 13 Guarin, 17 Medel (7 Kondogbia 51), 77 Brozovic; 22 Ljajic, 10 Jovetic (8 Palacio 64), 44 Perisic.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 5 Jesus, 9 Icardi, 11 Biabiany, 12 Telles, 14 Montoya, 21 Santon, 27 Gnoukouri, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
ROMA: 25 Szczesny; 13 Maicon, 44 Manolas, 2 Rudiger, 3 Digne; 24 Florenzi (14 Iago Falque 63), 4 Nainggolan, 15 Pjanic; 27 Gervinho (17 Iturbe 83), 9 Dzeko (21 Vainqueur 78), 11 Salah.
Subs not used: 26 De Sanctis, 5 Castan, 16 De Rossi, 18 Ponce, 23 Gyomber, 33 Emerson, 35 Torosidis, 48 Ucan, 97 Sadiq.
Coach: Rudi Garcia.
Booked: Pjanic 40, Guarin 58, Handanovic 69, Palacio 77, Ljajic 90, Digne 90+3.
Sent off: Pjanic 72.
Added time: 1+5 minutes.
Referee: Rizzoli.
Assistants: Di Liberatore, Costanzo.
Fourth official: Barbirati.
Additional assistants: Calvarese, Irrati.
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