Milan Skriniar's goal early in the second half earned Inter Milan a 1-0 win over Atalanta to move Antonio Conte's side six points clear at the top of Serie A.
Victory extended Inter's winning streak to seven league games as they eye a first scudetto since 2010.
Inter's lead was cut to three points following AC Milan's win earlier Sunday over Hellas Verona, with champions Juventus 10 points off top spot, with a game in hand, after a 3-1 win over Lazio.
Skriniar found a way through after 54 minutes following a goalmouth scramble from a corner.
"Knowing that the closest direct pursuers had won it's inevitable that there was pressure, these are three important points," said Conte.
"One goal but we missed sensational opportunities," said Conte.
"It was a very tactical match."
Atalanta are fifth, outside the Champions League berths, and 13 points off top spot with 12 games left to play this season.
"We put in a great performance and lost on a corner," lamented coach Gian Piero Gasperini whose side are one point off fourth-placed Roma.
"Against Inter and Juventus we always lack that little detail we don't yet have, but we are close."
Atalanta broke their four-match winning run in Serie A as they remain in the running in the Champions League and the Italian Cup final.
Inter are without European commitments with nothing left to target but the league and are next at relegation-threatened Torino.
Atalanta play at home against promoted Spezia before their Champions League last 16, second leg visit to Real Madrid.
