Mauro Icardi strikes late winner to guide Inter Milan past Roma

Mauro Icardi scored a late winner to hand Inter Milan a 2-1 victory as Roma missed the chance to climb up to second in Serie A.

A bright start from Roma failed to produce many chances, but there was an early test for Samir Handanovic when Daniele De Rossi forced him into action with a powerful long-range effort.

However, the deadlock was broken by Inter in the 15th minute thanks to a moment of magic from Hernanes, who earned space with a clever piece of skill before unleashing an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box.

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Roma should have hit back a few moments later, but Victor Ibarbo could only strike the post after collecting a loose ball in a congested box.

Despite enjoying spells on top either side of the break, Inter continued to look comfortable for much of the game as the San Siro crowd sensed a morale-boosting victory was a possibility.

Roma silenced the home supporters by hitting back just after the hour mark when Miralem Pjanic, who had missed a good chance a few minutes earlier, picked out Radja Nainggolan to allow the midfielder to fire a low strike past the helpless Handanovic.

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The goalkeepers then took centre stage as Morgan De Sanctis denied Fredy Guarin, before Handanovic pulled off a fine save to keep out Pjanic at the other end.

Both sides searched for a winner in the closing stages, and it was the hosts who snatched victory with two minutes remaining when Lukas Podolski found Icardi, who kept his composure to slot past De Sanctis.