Inter Milan claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus in the Derby d'Italia to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A table to four points.

The decisive goal arrived in the final 10 minutes of the first period when Juventus defender Federico Gatti diverted the ball into his own goal.

Gatti went close to making amends in the second half, fizzing a powerful effort just wide to the relief of the home support inside the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Simone Inzaghi's side ultimately stood firm to claim three crucial points against their title rivals, who fell to their second defeat of the Serie A season.

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As the home side, Inter took it upon themselves to force the issue in the opening 20 minutes against a resolute Juventus side.

The hosts carved out the first meaningful chance in the 18th minute when Benjamin Pavard picked out Federico Dimarco at the far post, but the left-back could only mishit his volley into the side-netting.

While clearcut chances were few and far between in a cagey first period, Inter's persistence was eventually rewarded in the 37th minute, as Gatti inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net from Nicolo Barella's clipped cross.

Pavard's overhead kick failed to make any real connection with Barella's delivery, before the ball evaded Marcus Thuram's attempted header and bounced in off Gatti's stomach.

After taking a slender lead into the break, Inter flew out the blocks in the second period, with Dimarco dragging an effort wide, before Hakan Calhanoglu struck the woodwork with a well-executed half-volley.

As the contest moved past the hour mark, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri decided to turn to his bench, introducing Timothy Weah and Federico Chiesa.

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Weah was close to registering an immediate assist when he teed up Gatti to fire the ball agonisingly wide of Yann Sommer's goal.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Wojciech Szczesny was required to make a fine stop to keep out Barella's fierce volley.

The Juventus goalkeeper was called back into action in the final stages of the contest, pulling a superb reaction save to deny substitute Marko Arnautovic from point-blank range.

While Szczesny kept his side in the contest, the visitors were unable to find an equaliser against an Inter side that has conceded just 10 league goals this season.

After falling to their first league defeat since September, second-placed Juventus are now four points adrift of Inter rivals, who also have the advantage of a game in hand.

The Nerazzurri will now turn their attention to a tricky away meeting with Roma, while Juventus will attempt to get their Scudetto hopes back on track against Udinese.