With title rivals AC Milan and Napoli having dropped points earlier in the day, Inter knew they had an opportunity to return to the summit, and they looked right up for the challenge in what was a controlled first-half display.
The Nerazzurri had scored a pre-round league-high 12 first-half goals in Serie A this season, and with only six minutes on the clock, they hit the front through an unlikely source as defender Yann Bisseck’s effort from the edge of the area snuck past Nicola Leali at his near post to give Inter the lead.
The visitors were very much on top in terms of possession and territory, but they weren’t necessarily looking like doubling their advantage as Genoa prevented them from creating clear-cut opportunities.
That was until seven minutes before half-time when Lautaro Martinez received the ball inside the area and skipped past a couple of would-be tacklers before sending his left-footed effort flying into the right corner of the net to give Inter a 2-0 lead at the break.
Genoa have experienced something of a new manager bounce since Daniele De Rossi took charge at the start of November; however, the home side were struggling to make any impression from an attacking perspective as Inter looked very comfortable with their two-goal lead.
The game appeared to be meandering towards a low-key conclusion, yet with just over 20 minutes remaining, the home side ensured a grandstand finish.
Vitinha raced onto a loose ball inside the area and took it around goalkeeper Yann Sommer before rolling it into an empty net to halve the deficit with Genoa’s first shot on target.
With renewed belief, the home fans were dreaming of an unlikely comeback, but they never looked likely to find the net for a second time as the visitors negotiated the closing stages in a professional manner to record their fifth victory in their last six away league outings.
Genoa are now winless in the last 13 Serie A meetings with Inter, with this defeat seeing them drop down a place to 16th, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Yann Bisseck (Inter)