Inter v Lecce result: Stylish Inter see off stubborn Lecce with a goal late in each half

Stylish Inter saw off stubborn Lecce with two goals worthy of winning any match in the world, as the league leaders extended their Serie A advantage to four points.

Thanks to Juventus winning away at Frosinone earlier in the day, Inter’s lead at the top of the table was down to a single point come kick-off. Being without top scorer Lautaro Martinez due to a thigh injury picked up mid-week, goals felt less than guaranteed.

On the other hand, Lecce, with one win in six and none away, could hardly have come in at their most confident.

Inter dominated first half possession but Lecce stood up well against the unstoppable attacking force, even picking up the first shots on target thanks to some rapid counter attacking moves.

The breakthrough came from a free kick that Lecce felt was unfairly awarded, as already booked Joan Gonzales was penalised for handball. He did not receive his marching orders.

Calhanoglu’s 43rd minute set-piece was perfectly weighted and Bisseck needed only to get his head onto it, and guide it past the outstretched fingers of Wladimiro Falcone.

For the first part of the second half Inter struggled to put the match away as Lecce pressed for an equaliser. They almost got it through a penalty that was awarded for handball but was ruled out by VAR.

Inter continued to dominate possession and Bisseck almost doubled his account with a header that forced a good save from Lecce’s Wladimir Falcone.

When the game-sealer came, it was down to a magical move by Carlos Augusto. The left winger left Lecce’s defenders’ standing, backheeling through to Nicolo Barella in the middle of the box, who only had to convert the simplest of tap-ins.

A late red card for Lameck Banda for dissent saw to it that Lecce would not get back into the game.

In the closing minutes, Inter almost added two more, and would have but for several heroic saves from Falcone.

Inter will settle for two, but it could easily have been three or four. That second goal, though, was worthy of winning any match in the world.

And Lecce know the game is up. Marin Pongracic just prevents a third for Inter, sending a cross over his own bar.

One more goal in it?

Davide Frattesi and Davy Klaassen on for Barella and Mkhitaryan.

One very good one down low on the line, the next high and to his left to prevent what would have been a brilliant third for Inter.

Lorenzo Venuti and Nicola Sansone on for Gendrey and Oudin.

They were expected. Alexis Sanchez and Benjamin Pavard brought on for Marcus Thuram and Carlos Augusto.

The Zambian winger, who had looked to be the most likely source of any Lecce goal, didn't like the way a decision had gone and made his frustrations clear. The referee responded by tell him where to go - for an early bath.

As they concede their 11th, 12th and 13th corner.

Arnautovic with a magical backheel into the path of Nicolo Barella who had the simplest of finishes to double Inter's lead. The Lecce defender was completely befuddled and could do absolutely nothing.

Lecce are looking lively and far from out of this.

A free kick from a foul by Pongracic finds Thuram with options, but he chooses the worst of them.

Straight swap as Nicola Krstovic is brought in for PIccoli.

SOMMER TESTED AGAIN

This time from a long ranger, low and to his right, from the substitute Kaba. This is the most pressure Lecce have piled on the Inter defence all game.

A metre either side of Sommer and that's an equaliser.

And it's not out of reach for Lecce yet.

Falcone can't hang on to it, but fortunately for Lecce the rebound doesn't fall to an Inter player.

Gabriel Strefezza the player taken off.

The Atalanta loanee went down pretty hard himself, but he came in to challenge the high leg of Barella. The referee had a good view of it.