Inter returned to winning ways in Serie A as Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the second half to secure a 2-0 triumph away at lowly Udinese.
Antonio Conte’s side had drawn their three previous league outings and, with leaders Juventus defeating Fiorentina 3-0 earlier on Sunday, appeared in danger of losing further ground in the title race.
However, after a scoreless first half, Lukaku’s brace moved Inter back above Lazio and into second place, three points behind the reigning champions.
January additions Christian Eriksen and Victor Moses were handed their full debuts by Conte while teenager Sebastiano Esposito filled in up front for the suspended Lautaro Martinez.
Yet the fresh faces failed to inspire, and it was Udinese who were the more threatening side in the first half. Seko Fofana fired into the side netting and Jens Stryger Larsen saw an on-target strike blocked by Ashley Young.
Lukaku had been on the periphery of proceedings before converting his first attempt of the game, his low, left-footed effort in the 64th minute going through the legs of Bram Nuytinck to beat Juan Musso.
The Belgian’s second arrived from the penalty spot seven minutes later, Musso having been spectacularly up-ending Alexis Sanchez as the substitute attempted to skip beyond the advancing goalkeeper.
Kevin Lasagna twice dragged efforts wide in the closing stages as Udinese drew a blank, the hosts managing just one shot on target as they allowed Inter goalkeeper Daniele Padelli a comfortable outing while standing in for the injured Samir Handanovic.
CONTE SATISFIED
However coach Antonio Conte insisted he was pleased with Christian Eriksen’s performance despite substituting the midfielder early in the second half.
Following his arrival from Tottenham, Eriksen came off the bench in the midweek Coppa Italia tie against Fiorentina, replacing Alexis Sanchez.
The Denmark international was handed the chance to start for the first time in Serie A on Sunday, recording 51 touches and completing 78 per cent of his attempted passes before he was replaced in the 58th minute.
Conte — who saw his team end a run of three successive league draws — called for patience with Eriksen, despite expressing his satisfaction with the 27-year-old’s efforts during his time on the pitch.
“I think that for someone who arrived five days ago, and we should not forget we had to rush him in because we were missing several midfielders, Eriksen still made a positive impact,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
“Obviously, he needs to get settled into our style of football and also find the right fitness levels for Serie A, but I am very pleased with his full debut.
“He will get to learn the positioning we ask of our midfielders, but these are early days and I am satisfied.”
The result sees Inter move above Lazio into second place in the table, three points behind leaders Juventus, ahead of next weekend’s Milan derby at San Siro.
“The match against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia gave us a boost,” Lukaku told Sky Sport Italia. “We knew that it wouldn’t be easy here in Udinese, but in the second half we did well.
“We managed to score two goals and get all three points. It’s an important victory on our journey. We must now keep this up and turn our attention immediately to the derby against Milan.”
HANDANOVIC A DOUBT
Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic is set to miss the Milan derby this weekend after fracturing a finger.
While no time frame was provided for the Slovenia international’s return to action, he seems unlikely to recover in time to face Milan.
“Samir Handanovic has undergone an X-ray examination following an injury to his left hand suffered in training,” a statement published by Inter on Monday read.
“Results showed a hairline fracture to his little finger. His condition will be reassessed on a daily basis.”