Milan Skriniar goal bags 'three important points' as Inter Milan extend lead at top of Serie A

Inter's Nicolo Barella in action against Atalanta's Marten De Roon. EPA

Atalanta's Berat Djimsiti in action against Inter's Lautaro Martinez. EPA

Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic in action. EPA

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku in action. Reuters

Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar celebrates scoring against Atalanta. Reuters

Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar celebrates after the match. Reuters

Inter Milan's Alexis Sanchez in action with Atalanta's Rafael Toloi. Reuters

Atalanta's Luis Muriel in action with Inter Milan's Roberto Gagliardini. Reuters

Inter's head coach Antonio Conte and team members celebrate after the 1-0 win over Atalanta. EPA

Atalanta's Duvan Zapata reacts at the end of the match. EPA

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.