Hernanes stars for Inter Milan to down nine-man Lazio

Two goals from Hernanes gave Inter Milan a 2-1 win over nine-man Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico this evening.

The hosts took the lead inside the first 10 minutes when Candreva fired home Felipe Anderson's cut-back moments after he was denied by Samir Handanovic in the Inter goal.

Mauro Icardi should have made it 1-1 on 12 minutes, but the young striker could only blaze an effort over the bar inside the area.

Handanovic then denied Marco Parolo with a save before Andrea Ranocchia cleared off the line with a diving header.

Lazio were reduced to 10 men when Mauricio was sent off for hauling down Rodrigo Palacio, and it didn't take long for the Nerazzurri to make their numerical advantage count.

Former Lazio star Hernanes levelled up when he curled home a free kick before the half-hour mark.

The Biancocelesti nearly headed into the break with a lead, but Candreva's free kick was well tipped over by Handanovic.

After the restart, Roberto Mancini's men had their goalkeeper to thank once again when he denied Miroslav Klose after the former Germany international had been played through by Candreva.

Lazio were reduced to nine men when goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was given his marching orders for bringing down Icardi inside the area.

However, Etrit Berisha's first involvement was to deny Icardi's tame effort from 12 yards.

Lazio held firm until the final six minutes, when Hernanes calmly slotted home the winning goal after a clever through-ball from Mateo Kovacic.