Ange-Yoan Bonny sent Inter Milan top of Serie A as he struck early to down Roma 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Bonny, who starred against Cremonese before the international break to earn his spot up front, was the difference maker as he netted the winner after just six minutes.
The 21-year-old Frenchman sprung a high offside trap, racing into space as Nicolò Barella released him with a long pass from the right.
He carried the ball into the area, held off the attentions of Evan Ndicka and rifled a powerful shot past Mile Svilar at the near post.
The slim advantage held for the remainder of the game, handing Cristian Chivu’s side a sixth straight win in all competitions, raising them from fourth to first. They sit at the summit on goal difference, tied on 15 points with Saturday’s opponents as well as Napoli.
Bonny’s flying start handed Inter a buffer in a low-key first half, with neither team doing their best work. Hakan Çalhanoglu was busy, twice trying his luck as Inter tried to double their lead, while Ndicka popped up in attack when he headed Paulo Dybala’s corner over.
Denzel Dumfries saw his effort saved after another break for Inter at the start of the second half before Roma belatedly came to life. Yann Sommer was called to make three saves in as many minutes, alert enough to deny Dybala either side of a Mario Hermoso header.
Sommer was out of position when Artem Dovbyk headed wide as the Roma fightback continued but it was Inter who came closest to adding a second, Henrikh Mkhitaryan hitting a post in the 84th minute.
