Lautaro Martinez expertly poked home the winner in the 20th minute in Udine to continue Inter's eight-match unbeaten run in Italy's top flight. Inter have collected 25 points from a possible 27 since losing the Milan derby the end of November and again showed a ruthlessness in dispatching the also-rans that both AC Milan and Napoli have lacked.
Massimiliano Allegri's side have dropped a host of points to teams they should beat, starting back in August against Jamie Vardy's Cremonese who remain the only team to get three points from Milan. Inter meanwhile have the opposite problem, with a poor track record in matches against high-profile opposition, a weakness which will be tested by EPL leaders Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Four straight wins at the start of the league phase of the Champions League were followed up by two defeats which have left direct qualification for the last-16 in doubt.