Inter sweeps aside Palermo to keep up Champions League pressure

Rome - Inter kept pace with the pack in the race for Champions League qualification after easily seeing off flatlining Palermo 3-1 on Sunday to win for just the fourth time in 2016.

Adem Ljajic's low 11th-minute strike, Mauro Icardi's deft 12th of the season 12 minutes later, and a diving header from Ivan Perisic nine minutes after the break saw Inter stay fifth on 51 points, two behind Fiorentina and five behind third-placed Roma, which walloped Paulo Sousa's Viola 4-1 on Friday.

Palermo reacted well to going two down so early and pulled a goal back through a sliding Franco Vazquez finish on the stroke of half-time.

But Giuseppe Iachini's side hasn't won in seven matches, and is now just a point above the relegation zone following Sunday's defeat.

The win for Inter also sees it extend its lead on AC Milan to four points after its local rival fell 2-0 at Sassuolo.

However, automatic Champions League qualification looks a tall order for Roberto Mancini's team, as second-placed Napoli is 10 points away after an entertaining 3-1 defeat of Chievo on Saturday that saw the Partenopei move temporarily level with leader Juventus.

Juve responded by taking its unbeaten run to 17 wins in 18 on Sunday with a 2-0 win at Atalanta.