Inter eight points clear after victory at Cremonese overshadowed by supporters firework incident

Inter Milan increased their advantage at the summit of Serie A to eight points thanks to a 2-0 victory over Cremonese on Sunday, though the game was overshadowed by an incident where supporters nearly struck the home sides goalkeeper Emil Audero with a firecracker.

Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski in the opening period secured the points for Inter, stretching their unbeaten streak in the league to 11 games and heaping more strain on closest rivals AC Milan, who take on Bologna midweek.

Inter once more handled a lower table opponent with ease, their reliability against such sides being a key factor in why Cristian Chivus squad has amassed 31 points across those 11 encounters.

However, what should have been a straightforward night for Inter nearly turned sour when Audero collapsed after a firecracker landed from the section of Inter supporters positioned behind his goal.

The referee halted play for several minutes, and briefly it seemed as if Audero had been hit directly by the device, which detonated close to him inside the box.

Luckily, the shaken goalkeeper had only picked up slight leg injuries and carried on playing, allowing the fixture to conclude peacefully.

Cremonese began the campaign strongly, but a run of nine games without success has dropped them to 16th position, five points clear of the drop zone, with challenging clashes against Atalanta, Roma, and Milan on the horizon over the coming weeks.

Como could have climbed above fourth placed Roma on goal difference if young talent Nico Paz had converted a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time, following Giorgio Scalvinis handball offence.

Yet Marco Carnesecchi made an outstanding stop to thwart Paz and secure a valuable point for 10 man Atalanta, who saw Honest Ahanor dismissed as early as the eighth minute, resulting in a gritty stalemate.

Como remain in sixth with 41 points, trailing Roma by two, while leading seventh placed Atalanta by five.

The 21 year old Paz has netted eight goals and provided six assists in this Serie A season, helping Como, backed by tobacco firm Djarum and managed by Cesc Fabregas, surpass predictions in their second year at the top level after a 25 year absence.

Paz joined from Real Madrid in August last year via a intricate transfer that includes a buy back clause for the Spanish club valid until 2027.

Juventus have the chance to leapfrog Roma into fourth with victory over Parma in the evenings closing fixture.