Inter moved six points clear at the Serie A summit, after Francesco Pio Esposito's goal sealed a narrow 1-0 victory over Lecce.

The 20-year-old climbed off the bench to score the winner 12 minutes from time at San Siro, as the Nerazzurri took full advantage of second-place AC Milan not playing until Thursday.

Wladimiro Falcone tipped Ange-Yoan Bonny's early low drive wide, while Inter were denied a penalty following a VAR review in the 27th minute, with the referee overturning his initial decision following Danilo Veiga's challenge on the Frenchman.

Marcus Thuram twice went close with headers either side of half-time, while Yann Sommer clawed away Jamil Siebert's header at the other end.

Esposito was then thwarted by Falcone, who tipped his header wide from Luis Henrique's cross in the 77th minute. Yet, the Italian was not to be denied less than 60 seconds later.

Falcone could only push away Lautaro Martinez's initial shot, and Espositio gobbled up the rebound to snatch a crucial three points for Cristian Chivu's side.

Data Debrief: Inter partying like it's 1999

Only 2005-born Said El Mala (four goals, two assists) is younger than Esposito among players with more than one goal scored and more than one assist provided as a substitute in the big five European Leagues this season (two goals, two assists).

Inter have now won seven successive Serie A games against Lecce for the second time, having also done so between 1991 and 1999.

The Nerazzurri, meanwhile, are the first side against whom Lecce have lost straight top-flight away games without scoring.

Inter registered their 15th win after 20 games in this Serie A season, doing so for only the fifth time in the three-points-per-win era.