Inter Milan dominated from start to finish against Atalanta at the San Siro this evening to earn a 2-0 win.

The hosts nearly went ahead on 17 minutes through Nemanja Vidic, but the Serbian defender's powerful header cannoned back off a post.

A minute later Rodrigo Palacio nearly put his side ahead when he raced on to Mateo Kovacic's through-ball, but his effort was well saved by Marco Sportiello in the Atalanta goal.

Palacio was then given the chance to make amends from the penalty spot after Yohan Benalouane carelessly bundled over Andrea Ranocchia in the Atalanta box, but his penalty was tipped around the post by Sportiello.

Inter Milan finally carved out the lead their performance deserved through Pablo Osvaldo on 40 minutes.

Osvaldo, who had replaced the injured Mauro Icardi early in the first half, volleyed home Fredy Guarin's free kick to put his side ahead at the break.

Walter Mazzarri's team started the second half on the front foot, and could have been further ahead when Palacio collected Jonathan's reverse ball in Atalanta box, but the Argentine striker's effort struck the post.

However, Inter Milan did get a second through a curling free kick from Hernanes on 87 minutes.