Inter Milan won a scrappy match away at Livorno to extend their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points.

Jose Mourinho's men were a long way from their fluent best but second-half strikes from Diego Milito and Maicon handed them a win which enabled them to take full advantage of second-placed Juventus' surprise setback at home to Napoli last night.

Livorno held their own for the most part but defeat sees them remain in the relegation zone.

Inter opened brightly and Lucio came close with a header after just two minutes before the Leghorn club enjoyed a spell of pressure on the Nerazzurri goal.

Marcus Diniz bombed down the right before picking out Francesco Tavano and his goalbound shot required the intervention of Lucio to deflect it clear for a corner.

Antonio Candreva was next to try his luck with a 30-yard effort which Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar gathered with ease.

Inter were lacking fluency and their passing game was disrupted further shortly before the half-hour mark when Sulley Muntari had to be taken off due to injury with Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso coming on to take his place.

The home side continued to press and forced Julio Cesar into action again eight minutes before half-time.

Lucio handled on the edge of the area and Candreva's free-kick produced a fabulous save from the Brazilian keeper especially as he was staring directly into the sun.

Inter offered very little as an attacking force in the opening 45 minutes and Livorno created one more chance before the break, Davide Moro cracking in a volley from the edge of the area which whistled just wide.

Mourinho had clearly seen enough and he changed personnel and tactics at the break with former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o replacing teenage midfielder Rene Khrin.

Eto'o presence certainly helped Inter and they took an undeserved lead four minutes after the restart.

Dejan Stankovic played a ball into Milito's feet which the Argentinian took nicely, dummied his marker and then cracked in a low shot which gave home keeper Francesco Benussi no chance.

Livorno responded with a shot from the edge of the box by Tavano which flew inches over the bar.

Inter doubled their advantage 10 minutes from time with just their second shot on target.

Patrick Vieira picked out Maicon with a measured pass and the full-back charged into the box before slotting neatly past Benussi.

Livorno twice threatened a consolation in the final five minutes.

First, Candreva's free-kick was punched clear by Julio Cesar before Tavano claimed he was fouled inside the area by Lucio. Contact appeared minimal, however, and referee Emidio Morganti waved away the protests.

Next up for Inter is a trip to Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday night.