Julio Cruz came to the rescue, as Inter struggled badly to break down an organised Lecce, but are clear at the top of the table.

Jose Mourinho's side took a while to kick into gear, but were in fine form when thrashing Torino 3-1 on Sunday, albeit without a clean sheet yet in Serie A. Walter Samuel, Luis Jimenez, Luis Figo, Santon, Maxwell and the suspended Sulley Ali Muntari missed out, but Dejan Stankovic returned. Lecce have stuttered so far with just two stalemates and had lost their last four straight visits to San Siro conceding 10 goals and scoring twice. Davor Vugrinec snatched a shock Salentini victory here in November 2000.

Javier Zanetti stepped out for his 600th appearance in an Inter jersey, but kick-off was delayed for a few minutes as Julio Cesar decided to change his socks. There was another bizarre moment straight after play began, as Patrick Vieira accidentally head-butted Nicolas Burdisso while waiting for a free kick to come in.

Inter had a very slow start and almost went behind as Lecce threatened with an Esposito header that skimmed the far post from Andrea Zanchetta's free kick.

A fantastic Zlatan Ibrahimovic free kick from 30 metres cracked against the crossbar with the goalkeeper unable to do anything about it.

A corner made its way into the six-yard box, but Adriano wasted it by nodding over, perhaps surprised nobody else had intervened.

Lecce were by no means sitting back and Julio Cesar had his palms stung by a fierce Zanchetta strike from 20 metres that was heading for the top corner. Just before the break Simone Tiribocchi was halted for an incorrect offside flag when clear in the area.

Inter were very disappointing in the first half and were jeered off by the San Siro crowd at the break. Jose Mourinho had to make changes and threw on Ricardo Quaresma and Douglas Maicon for Stankovic and Vieira.

Lecce lost Angelo to a sprained ankle. Ibrahimovic nodded a trademark Quaresma trivela cross off target, then a few minutes later a crucial tackle cut off Maicon.

Daniele Cacia had penalty appeals for a light Ivan Cordoba push waved away, but Inter finally found a way through 11 minutes from time. Maicon's cross was knocked down by Ibrahimovic for a Julio Cruz low half-volley from just inside the box.

Moments later Ibra saw Benussi off his line and attempted an audacious strike from 40 metres! At the other end Julio Cesar grabbed a Castillo counter-attack.

At the moment of the final whistle, Lecce almost grabbed a sensational equaliser with Julio Cesar parrying a long-range snapshot.