Inter Milan moved six points clear at the top of Serie A after grinding out a 1-0 home win over Lecce at the San Siro, condemning the visitors to a third straight defeat and leaving them just three points above the relegation zone.
The league leaders dominated proceedings but had to wait until late on before Pio Esposito struck the decisive blow.
Inter controlled the first half through Ange-Yoan Bonny and Piotr Zielinski, only to be frustrated by Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone, while a first-half penalty claim was overturned by VAR.
The breakthrough finally arrived 12 minutes from time when Lautaro Martinez’s shot was spilled by Falcone and Esposito reacted quickest to turn in the rebound, sealing Inter’s 12th win in 14 league games.
