Rome [Italy], November 9: Inter Milan brought high-flying Como crashing down to earth as first-half goals from Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram earned them a 2-0 home win on Sunday.
After Esposito gave Inter an early lead and Thuram put them two up in the 19th minute, Cristian Chivu's side were never in danger and extended their 100% home record in Serie A this season to six matches.
Inter bounced back from last week's 3-1 derby defeat to AC Milan with a 3-0 midweek Champions League win against Feyenoord in Rotterdam and they climbed to within a point of leaders Lazio with this victory.
Como continued their remarkable debut season in Europe on Wednesday, matching a Champions League record by thrashing Lens 9-1, but Cesc Fabregas' side turned in a lacklustre display at San Siro as their six-game winning run in all competitions was halted.
Inter caught Como on the break to take a 12th-minute lead, with England defender Djed Spence supplying the cross and Esposito turning home his third league goal of the season from close range.
Chivu's side deservedly doubled their lead seven minutes later when Thurum smashed home Federico Dimarco's deflected cross.
It was one-way traffic in the first half, with Inter dominating midfield as Fabregas' visitors failed to register a notable effort on target.
Como made a better start to the second period, but it was Inter who were first to threaten again as Dimarco fired straight at goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The Inter wing-back's volley from the edge of the area following Thuram's flick was deflected for a corner as the home side regained their momentum.
Thuram pounced on a mix-up in Como's defence to fire a low angled effort just wide and Spence pulled his angled effort from inside the box off target.
An in-swinging cross from Como's Nico Paz almost caught out Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez, but the Spaniard recovered to turn it away.
Inter did not allow Como back into the game and there was a jaded look to the visitors as the game entered the final quarter.
Jacobo Ramon headed over the crossbar and then forced Martinez into a rare save with another header before Paz lashed a shot high and wide.
Paz then lashed a shot from outside the box against the crossbar following a wayward pass at the back from Inter, but Como could not find a way through as they slipped to their second league defeat of the season.
Source: Qatar Tribune
