It was not easy in Parma. There was no breezing past the 'Ducali' on this occasion, as the home side were tactically astute and resolute in their task.

It was a game that many an Inter team from years gone by would have lost, but as the final whistle went, they emerged 2-1 winners. That puts them six points clear of second-placed Milan and places them as favourites to win the Scudetto.

This has not been the only game when they have not performed and won. Often they have had to look for a 'difference maker' and this time it was Alexis Sanchez. The good news for the Nerazzurri, however, is that they always seem to find one.

Perhaps it is better the Devil you know? It did not feel like that for Antonio Conte in the first half of the game against Parma. The other teams already had played, putting pressure on this result.

He was facing his good friend Roberto D'Aversa, and their wives also are close, often holidaying together. They know each other well and they know their views on football, tactics and man-management.

The Parma coach seemed to have read his friend better as for much of the first half and parts of the second it seemed he had the upper hand.

Parma approached the game well by keeping the ball in wide positions, this made it difficult for Inter to press and they had to also switch flanks at pace, which created more space in the midfield and upfront for when they tried to attack.

Off the ball, he also out-thought Conte. He knew his chum would get the ball and want to counter with pace. He set his team up to shut out these channels and more often than not Inter lost possession quickly.

The Nerazzurri did realise this at the end of the first half and kept better possession themselves. They also drifted into wide areas and this allowed Christian Eriksen into the game.

It was perhaps a shock when Conte removed him for Arturo Vidal but it was an exciting chess game.

Many would think that Parma deserved the draw and perhaps they did but the difference was in the quality of players Inter can rely on this campaign.

The squad's strength is evident and they are proving that there is enough quality for them to be out thought or outfought and yet still grab victory from the jaws of defeat.

Last night it was Alexis Sanchez, whose brace prized them away from Parma's clutches. "It was a difficult match, as Parma did well, so did we, but we are fighting for the Scudetto and we are on the right path," Sanchez told Sky Sport Italia.

He said the team has a new mentality after the Europa league defeat last season and that they are all of one mind-set to sacrifice and work.

This mentality seems to be seeping deep into the pores of every Inter player, and this had had a remarkable effect.

When things are not going well, the team are not hiding and waiting for a hero. They are all trying to be that man. This cannot work for every player on the pitch in every game but it often does mean one will succeed. It allows Inter not merely to be reliant on Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.

Inter now sit top and the Scudetto is in their hands if they can continue this impressive run of form. They seem united, determined and they have the quality and depth to do so.

There are still big tests ahead, Atalanta will undoubtedly test them next but if they can get over this hurdle, then suddenly the dream looks like it could become a reality.

After this, one could say the fixtures are kind until they face Napoli in mid-April, but there is a long way to go. For now, however, they all believe and fans of Serie A will sit back, relax and watch this all play out.

@RichHall80