Intermilan 1-0 Lazio: Eight points lead
[espnstar.com]
The Cameroon international struck in the 14th minute to enable Jose Mourinho's side to return to winning ways.
The triumph gave Inter a comfortable cushion over second-placed AC Milan, whose game at Fiorentina yesterday was postponed due to bad weather.
And Mourinho will be pleased to have ended a controversial week on a high note following a verbal dispute with a journalist after last weekend's draw at Atalanta that has led to criticism in the Italian press.
For Lazio, the result left them in 16th place - three points clear of the drop zone.
Lazio went into the game still buoyed by last week's 1-0 triumph over Genoa, their first win since August 30.
Having claimed just one point in their last two games, Inter showed more determination and bossed possession in the early stages of the game.
And they were soon rewarded.
Eto'o latched onto Dejan Stankovic's cross and his header was parried by Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera only as far as Eto'o, who fired into the back of the net.
Lazio should have levelled the score in the 18th minute but Tommaso Rocchi's close-range strike from Stefano Mauri's assist went inches wide.
At the other end, Stankovic's cross towards the far post found Sulley Muntari, whose effort went wide.
On the half-hour mark, Sebastiano Siviglia made a crucial tackle on Eto'o inside the area, with the Nerazzurri striker ready to fire.
Lazio continued to surge forward in search of the equaliser and they almost succeeded 10 minutes before the break.
Aleksandar Kolarov served Mourad Meghni inside the area but his eight-yard strike went wide.
Lazio showed more determination after the re-start but it was Inter who carried the greater threat going forward.
Eto'o almost scored his second of the evening early in the second half.
A fast counter-attack by Inter saw Diego Milito's through-ball find Eto'o inside the area but his right-footed strike went inches wide of the near post.
Shortly after the hour mark, Kolarov's bullet strike from distance stunned Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar but the ball went just wide of the far post.
At the other end, Esteban Cambiasso's curled free-kick went over the bar.
Inter should have killed the game off with 15 minutes remaining but substitute Patrick Vieira's header from Cambiasso's corner kick lacked power and proved an easy save for Muslera.
Lazio did not give up hope of taking home a point and substitute Julio Cruz should have done better in the 87th minute against his former club.
Cruz latched on to Fabio Firmani's pass but his right-footed strike inside the area went wide of the near post, much to the relief of the home fans.
Source: http://www.espnstar.com/football/serie-a/news/detail/item369554/Inter-Milan-1-0-Lazio/
