Atalanta 1-2 Inter Milan: Inter extend lead at the top of the table with narrow victory

Inter Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez scored either side of halftime in a 2-1 Serie A win over Atalanta on Saturday, keeping Simone Inzaghi's team atop the table for another week.

Calhanoglu opened the scoring with a penalty just before halftime, and Martinez doubled Inter's lead with a shot inside the far post before Gianluca Scamacca pulled one back for the hosts after the hour mark.

Inter, who have 28 points from 11 games, have extended their lead over second-placed Juventus, who visit Fiorentina on Sunday.

Inter played it safe in the first half, with their first shot on goal coming after the half-hour mark.

But Calhanoglu put the visitors ahead just before halftime after they were awarded a penalty for a challenge on Matteo Darmian by goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Martinez thought he had put Inter up 2-0 with a header in the 54th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Three minutes later, however, the Argentine made no mistake with a shot inside the far post for his 12th league goal of the season.

Scamacca gave the home side hope with a low shot after a neat pass by Ademola Lookman, but they failed to equalize with their few remaining chances.

In stoppage time, Atalanta were reduced to ten men after substitute Rafael Toloi received a second booking for a foul on Alexis Sanchez.

Gian Piero Gasperini's team is fifth with 19 points after conceding their first goals at home this season.

They are two points behind fourth-placed Napoli, who defeated bottom club Salernitana 2-0 earlier on Saturday thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Elif Elmas.

SportsLigue