Rate it!

7 votes

Internazionale extended their lead over Juventus at the top of Serie A to nine points with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Lazio in Rome.

Walter Samuel (pictured) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were on target for the champions, the pair striking either side of Mobido Diakite's own-goal.

"At the moment the team is well balanced, but I don't want to express too much satisfaction. Football can betray you," Inter coach Jose Mourinho told Sky Italia.

"I don't want us to be the winter champions. I want us to be champions in May."

Mourinho's side got off to best possible start in the Stadio Olimpico, Argentinian defender Samuel firing a bullet header past his compatriot Juan Pablo Carrizo in the Lazio goal in just the second minute.

The champions then doubled their lead just before half-time when Lazio defender Diakite turned Maicon's near post cross into this own net under pressure from Hernan Crespo.

Ibrahimovic completed the scoring on 55 minutes, the Sweden striker rising above Aleksandar Kolarov to nod home Esteban Cambiasso's well-delivered free-kick.

The hosts thought they had pulled a goal back two minutes later, but Kolorov's powerful low free-kick was ruled out because the referee had not yet sanctioned the set piece to be taken.

The decision summed up a miserable night for the Biancocelesti, who passed up the opportunity to move fourth with the defeat. As it was, Delio Rossi's side are now likely to drop down the standings with a posse of chasing clubs in action on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Roma continued their recovery from a terrible start to the season with a 1-0 win at basement side Chievo thanks to Jeremy Menez's first Serie A goal.

The French striker, who this week complained about not getting enough playing time since moving from Monaco in the close season, volleyed a Daniele De Rossi header into the far corner in the 69th minute.

The visitors, who failed to put away a string of chances before Menez's goal, had midfielder Matteo Brighi sent off for a second yellow card in the closing stages.

Roma's fifth consecutive win in all competitions lifts them to the middle of the Serie A standings ahead of Tuesday's decisive Champions League Group A match at home against Bordeaux.

Reuters / Mike Hytner / Eurosport