Sulley Muntari netted on the stroke of half-time to earn Inter Milan a vital victory at Genoa.
Muntari scores on stroke of half-time to send Inter second
A goalkeeping error saw Sulley Muntari net on the stroke of half-time to earn Inter Milan a vital 1-0 victory at Genoa.
The Ghanaian international came on early in the game as a replacement for the injured Esteban Cambiasso and his seemingly harmless shot deep into first-half stoppage time skidded past Genoa goalkeeper Eduardo.
Inter then defended well in the second half as Rafa Benitez's side - who are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions - moved up to second in Serie A.
Genoa started brightly and Luca Toni tested Julio Cesar with a curling shot from the left which the Inter goalkeeper chose to parry wide.
Toni then combined well with Giandomenico Mesto, who tried to place his shot delicately past Julio Cesar but failed to seriously test the Brazil international.
Shot wide
At the other end, Samuel Eto'o shot wide of the right-hand post from level with the penalty spot after he met Muntari's inviting low cross from the left.
Genoa then missed an even better chance to score in the 41st minute when Chico pulled the ball back from the goalline to Marco Rossi, who dragged his shot wide of the far post from eight yards out.
The injury to Cambiasso and treatment for Chico meant there were three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half - and Inter took full advantage.
A speculative 25-yard shot from Muntari bounced just in front of Genoa goalkeeper Eduardo, who made a poor attempt to save and the ball skimmed his shoulder on its way in.
The home fans stood by their goalkeeper, chanting his name, but it was a costly error from the Portugal international.
Partial amends
The hosts failed to recover, although Eduardo at least made partial amends by denying Jonathan Biabiany in the 52nd minute after he beat the offside trap.
Inter suffered another injury blow when Julio Cesar limped out of the game with what looked like a serious hamstring injury which makes him a doubt for the UEFA Champions League tie with Tottenham next week.
He was replaced by former Sampdoria goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi, who made saves from Toni and Mattia Destro before Domenico Criscito shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Isaac Boakye blasted Genoa's last chance over the crossbar from a tight angle in the 89th minute as Inter held on for a precious three points.
