Jonathan inspires Inter to Verona success

Rodrigo Palacio and Jonathan struck in each half as FC Internazionale Milano overcame Hellas Verona FC 2-0 and climbed into fourth.

The encounter at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi was just 13 minutes old when Palacio registered for the 13th time in Serie A this term. The goal owed much to the incisive running of defender Jonathan, who drove down the right before teeing up a simple finish for the Argentina forward. Marquinho led the fightback for the hosts, drilling centimetres wide of the far post before Inter wrested back the initiative.

Shortly after the restart, playmaker Hernanes fired straight at Verona keeper Rafael when well-placed and struck the frame of the goal with a speculative free-kick. The second goal Inter had been threatening arrived after 63 minutes, when Jonathan finished with aplomb after seeing his initial effort saved. The result takes Walter Mazzarri's men seven points clear of Verona, who are without a home win since December.