Inter 2 - 0 Empoli

MILAN – A goal in each half from Eder and Antonio Candreva was enough to put away a spirited Empoli this afternoon, but the gap might have been bigger had it not been for Lukasz Skorupski in the visitor's goal.

Stefano Pioli's team had to play without the suspended Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic but showed the depth in their squad, as Rodrigo Palacio and Eder both made telling contributions in this victory.

Inter started the better side and were looking dangerous down the right flank, with Danilo D'Ambrosio and Candreva both putting in good crosses. Skorupski was the only thing stopping the Nerazzurri taking the lead in the ninth minute, somehow managing to leap and claw away a Palacio header that was heading for the top corner – his first of many spectacular saves.

Nevertheless, the fans could sense a goal was coming and they weren't made to wait for much longer. Candreva swung a cross to the near post, which was deflected and looped up in the air. Palacio showed great timing to out-jump a much bigger defender and nod it on to the far post, where Eder was waiting to chest home.

Despite most of the contest being played in Empoli's half, the Tuscan side did threaten on occasion. Omar El Kaddouri embarked on a mazy in the 25th minute that look him inside Inter's penalty area. Luckily, Samir Handanovic was alert enough to palm away his shot.

Five minutes later, Roberto Gagliardini had the first of three gilt-edged chances to open his goalscoring account for Inter. With the Nerazzurri in complete control of the encounter, the young Italian saw an opportunity to make a late burst into the box and come onto ball, but Skorupski saved instinctively to deflect his volley over the bar.

The second half continued where the first left off: Inter dominating the ball and Empoli looking to counter when they could. In the 51st minute, Eder drilled a ball into the area for Gagliardini to volley, but this time the midfielder couldn't keep his effort below the bar.

Empoli had a great chance to level in the 53rd minute, when Rade Krunic played a one-two and burst into the area. However, his touch was heavy and took him too close to Handanovic, who gathered and launched his side on an attack that would end in another goal. The ball eventually worked its way to half-time substitute Cristian Ansaldi, who picked out Candreva at the far post to volley smartly home and double Inter's advantage.

The goal took the tempo out of the game, as Inter were content to sit back and protect their lead, while Empoli seemed resigned to their fate. It look a couple of substitutions around a quarter of an hour from the end to inject some energy back into proceedings. First Gabriel Barbosa came on for Palacio after a typically all-action performance from the Argentine, then Andrea Pinamonti replaced Eder for his Serie A debut.

The pair actually combined to set up a good chance for the Nerazzurri: Pinamonti laid it off for Joao Mario who spread it wide for Barbosa, but the No.96's shot went narrowly wide. The Brazilian won a corner moments later, from which Gagliardini saw his header palmed away by Empoli's Polish shotstopper – luck clearly wasn't on his side this afternoon.

Inter kept pushing for the third goal – Miranda in particular had a header saved from a couple of yards out – but it didn't come and, after four minutes of additional time, Domenico Celi blew up to bring the contest to a close. 

INTER 2-0 EMPOLI (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: Eder 14, Candreva 54.

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 24 Murillo, 17 Medel, 25 Miranda; 87 Candreva, 5 Gagliardini, 7 Kondogbia, 33 D'Ambrosio (15 Ansaldi, 45); 5 Joao Mario; 23 Eder (99 Pinamonti, 80), 8 Palacio (96 Barbosa, 73).Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 11 Biabiany, 20 Sainsbury, 21 Santon, 55 Nagatomo.Coach: Stefano Pioli.

EMPOLI: 28 Skorupski; 2 Laurini, 24 Cosic, 13 Veseli, 4 Dimarco (19 Barba, 64); 33 Krunic (17 Zajc, 76), 8 Diousse, 11 Croce; 10 El Kaddouri (88 Tello, 81); 7 Maccarone, 20 Pucciarelli.Subs not used: 1 Pugliesi, 23 Pelagotti, 3 Zambelli, 5 José Mauri, 27 Thiam, 31 Picchi, 77 Buchel, 89 Marilungo.Coach: Giovanni Martusciello.

Yellow cards: El Kaddouri 41, Kondogbia 46, Dimarco 49.

Additional time: 2+4 minutes. 

Referee: Domenico CeliAssistants: Giulio Dobosz, Giorgio SchenoneFourth official: Andrea CrispoAdditional assistants: Daniele Doveri, Aleandro Di Paolo