Despite their struggles, the Nerazzurri continued to apply pressure on Napoli, who have faced four draws and one defeat in their last five matches leading up to their upcoming match against seventh-placed Fiorentina.
"In Serie A, all matches are complicated, we had 30 or 31 shots on goal, our victory was deserved. My players kept their calm and remained lucid," said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.
City rivals AC Milan experienced a match with an almost similar scenario away at lowly Lecce.
Christian Pulisic scored twice to avoid the humiliation of a fourth straight Serie A defeat with a come-from-behind 3-2 win.
Sergio Conceicao's side, playing without suspended French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, were trailing 2-0 for over an hour following a double from Lecce's Montenegro forward Nikola Krstovic after seven and 59 minutes.
An Antonino Gallo own goal after 68 minutes threw the northerners a lifeline with Pulisic equalising from the penalty spot five minutes later.
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And the US international then handed his team its first victory since February 15 with his second goal nine minutes from time.
"We're in a complicated situation, it's the kind of victory that feels good," said Pulisic.
Last year's Serie A runners-up move into eighth position but are now 17 points behind Inter.
Despite the win Conceicao's future remains in doubt having replaced fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca at the end of December.
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Milan bosses are reported to be in advanced talks with former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)