Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a goal in either half to ensure Roberto Mancini's side claimed all three points for the first time this season to go top although they will likely be overtaken when their rivals play on Sunday.

The Sweden international struck in the 13th and 83rd minutes of an otherwise evenly-contested game, allowing Inter to move to the summit with four points from their first two games.

After a bright start from the home side, it was Inter who took the lead in the 14th minute.

Maicon sent in a cross from the right and Ibrahimovic beat Andrea Raggi and Daniele Balli to the ball to knock it in with the outside of is boot.

The goal gave Inter confidence and the partnership between Ibrahimovic and David Suazo was growing with every minute.

They combined for the next best chance of the game with the latter just delaying a split second too long and allowing Lino Marzoratti to get in a crucial challenge to deflect the shot wide for a corner.

The defending champions were unable to put the game beyond Empoli and the home side slowly worked their way back into the game and started to create their own chances.

Ten minutes before the interval, Luca Antonini broke the offside trap to latch onto Guillermo Giacomazzi's ball forward. His first touch was exceptional, but his second, the shot, left a lot to be desired.

Inter's thoughts would surely be flashing back to last weekend, when they let a single-goal lead slip in the last minute of the game against Udinese.

Empoli will have remembered that too and it was they who took control of the early stages of the second half.

Substitute Sebastian Giovinco brought a new verve to the home side and, from his cross, Antonio Busce should have grabbed the equaliser.

From eight yards out, he aimed a free header too close to Francesco Toldo, who, even diving the wrong way, was able to save with his legs.

Inter camped inside their own half and relied on the pace of Suazo and Ibrahimovic to cause a threat on the counter-attack.

From one of these breaks, they banished the ghost of last weekend and ensured they would not throw away any points this time.

Luis Figo led the ball forward down the right and, using Cesar as an intermediary, the ball landed at the feet of Ibrahimovic, who had an easy tap in from eight yards out for his and Inter's second of the game.

There was to be no late drama this time and Inter held on for all three points, leaving Empoli still searching for their first point of the season.