Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini was delighted with their 1-0 win over Empoli on Wednesday night.

Mauro Icardi struck the winner on halftime.

Mancini said: "I think it's not easy to play at Empoli, they were coming off four consecutive victories and played really good football. It was our first game after the holidays and following the defeat to Lazio.

“We were overall perfect in everything. Empoli did not have great opportunities to score and the only chances they had were given to them by us. We defended well.

“There is always pressure when you are top of the table, but it's a positive thing we can use in our favour. The issue was getting back to winning ways after the defeat to Lazio."

He added: “I like to play with two strikers, but there are some games where the team needs coverage in other areas. All forwards know that there are moments in a season when the ball won't go in, but I was always confident Mauro Icardi would score 20 sooner or later.

“I would like something more in terms of performance and quality of football, which I had seen about three weeks ago. We've got a huge margin for improvement."