Inter returned to winning ways after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Genoa at the San Siro on Sunday afternoon.
Rodrigo Palacio took a deserved lead for the hosts, before Mauro Icardi added a second and scored his 10th league goal. Armando Izzo then pulled one back for the visitors, however it proved inconsequential as Nemanja Vidic secured a much need three points for boss Roberto Mancini.
Inter started the brighter of the two sides and almost found an opening two minutes in, through Mauro Icardi, however his effort was parried by Genoa gloveman Mattia Perin.
The visitors slowly got into the match and came agonisingly close from taking a surprise lead when captain Luca Antonelli found himself inside the six-yard box only for Handanovic to save his tame shot.
However, the hosts did not have to wait long to find the back-of-the-net as Icardi’s volley was too hot to handle. Rodrigo Palacio followed up Perin’s initial save to calmly finish in the 12th minute and score his second goal of the season.
New signing Lukas Podolski looked sharp in his first home match at the San Siro, causing the Grifoni defence a number of problems going forward during the first-half.
The Nerazzurri continued to probe, but could not muster any clear-cut chances midway through the first-half, despite having more of the possession.
Minutes later Podolski was again in the thick of the action as he slipped through goal-scorer Palacio, however this time his curling effort was denied.
Genoa absorbed more pressure as the half went on and appeared increasingly likely to succumb to the Inter pressure – and they did just that in the 39th minute.
The home side doubled their advantage courtesy of Icardi’s header from a Hernanes corner-kick evaded everybody to send the Nerazzurri faithful into jubilation.
After the interval, the Grifoni showed more intent and were nearly rewarded for their endeavours when Antonelli’s firm volley was saved by Inter’s goalkeeper.
In the 55th minute Genoa winger Iago Falque thought he had scored when a venomous strike, forced the best out of Handanovic to expertly direct past the post.
Not long after, it was all the away outfit as Andrea Bertolacci’s effort ricocheted over the crossbar and from the ensuing corner Antonelli was again involved heading over the upright.
Seconds later on-loan youngster Maxime Lestienne produced a spectacular volley which unfortunately for the 22-year-old smashed the crossbar and maintained Inter’s two-goal cushion.
A resistant Inter defence was then reinforced by the introduction of defensive midfielder Joel Obi after 74 minutes to add stability to the Milan based side.
However, Genoa’s persistent pressure finally came to fruition as centre-back Armando Izzo pounced on Tino Costa’s forceful hit to tap home.
But their hard work came undone moments later as Inter scored a third in the 88th minute thanks to Nemanja Vidic’s emphatic header abolishing any hopes of a late comeback by the Rossoblu.
Despite Genoa’s relentless second-half attacking performance the Grifoni could not restore parity as it finished 3-1.
