Sulley Muntari gave Jose Mourinho's side the lead in the 13th minute and Wesley Sneijder added a second just after half an hour.

A penalty from Giuseppe Mascara made it a nervy ending for the Nerazzurri, who held on to move back above Sampdoria and return to the top of the table.

Sampdoria maintained its challenge with a comfortable 4-1 win over struggling Bologna at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Giampaolo Pazzini put the home side ahead with his sixth goal of the season in the eighth minute and a brace from Daniele Mannini and a long-range effort from Reto Ziegler put Samp in command with only 33 minutes played.

Marco di Vaio was sent off for dissent on a miserable night for Bologna, who hardly even smiled at its consolation goal from Pablo Osvaldo in the 62nd minute.

A defeat for Franco Colomba in his first game in charge of Bologna means it will end the weekend no higher than 18th.

Inter Milan 2 (Muntari 13, Sneijder 31)
Catania Calcio 1 (Mascara 84p)

Sampdoria 4 (Pazzini 8, Mannini 17, 32, Ziegler 26)
Bologna 1 (Osvaldo 63)