Inter's charge up the Serie A table continued on Saturday as they beat struggling Pescara 3-0 in their seventh successive league win to move up to fourth.
Stefano Pioli has overseen a remarkable upturn in form since replacing Frank de Boer in November and they were ruthless at San Siro against Pescara, continuing their impressive winning streak to capitalise on Lazio's defeat at home to Chievo and move up one place in the standings.
Pescara's form coming into the contest was in stark contrast to Inter's, having lost 10 in 12 in Serie A, and the only surprising aspect of the hosts' opening goal was that it took 23 minutes to arrive.
Danilo D'Ambrosio was the one to break Pescara's resolve and Joao Mario added a second just before the break to effectively put the game beyond the relegation favourites.
Inter's dominance eventually paid off in the 23rd minute, as D'Ambrosio made the most of slack marking to steer Marcelo Brozovic's pinpoint left-wing cross in at the back post.
Pescara were their own worst enemies on numerous occasions and they almost gifted Inter a second goal a few moments later, when Joao Mario intercepted debutant Grigoris Kastanos' woeful pass across the edge of the box before shooting straight at Albano Bizzarri.
But the Portugal international made amends just before the break, latching on to Perisic's teasing delivery to give Inter a two-goal cushion.
And eventually the result was put beyond all doubt 17 minutes from time – Mauro Icardi squaring across the face of goal despite appearing to be offside and teeing Eder up for an easy finish.
