Serie A leaders Inter Milan edged Hellas Verona 1-0 for their fifth win in as many games on Wednesday.
Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo scored the only goal of the contest at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in the 56th minute.
Inter held on for the victory and in the process kept a clean sheet for the third straight encounter.
The win has lifted the Nerazzurri three points clear of nearest rivals Fiorentina at the top of the standings, with both sides set to lock horns on Sunday in Milan.
The hosts dominated possession and had a chance to score in the 22nd minute.
Ivan Perisic should have done better but he drilled a left-footed central effort from 12 yards that lacked power and did not trouble Hellas goalkeeper Rafael.
Hellas substitute Lucas Siligardi then made a vital block on Gary Medel's goal-bound shot to deny Inter the lead just before the interval.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Jacopo Sala saw his left-footed shot from 20 yards rattle the crossbar with Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic already beaten.
The home side went in front one minute later as Melo rose highest to head Alex Telles's corner-kick past Rafael and into the back of the net.
Hellas never gave up and came close to equalising with 10 minutes remaining.
Siligardi found space just outside the area and drilled a 25-yard effort that forced Handanovic into a full-stretch save.
The Verona outfit, without a win this season, have now dropped to 15th in the standings.