Full back Matteo Darmian scored the unlikely winner as Inter Milan secured a 1-0 victory over Cagliari on Sunday to close in on its first Serie A title in 11 years.

Struggling Cagliari was proving to be a tough nut to crack in the San Siro, with debutant goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario making several fine saves to keep the league leaders at bay.

But the visitors' resistance was broken by an unlikely source in Darmian, whose second league goal of the season in the 77th minute secured Inter an 11th successive league win.

Inter moved 11 points clear of AC Milan in second with eight games to play while Cagliari remained languishing down in 18th place, five points from the safety zone.

"I like to repeat – these matches are starting to feel like victories are worth six points," Conte told DAZN.

"Milan won (on Saturday) and it was important for us to keep our lead. It is not easy but we are getting used to it.

"For many it is the first time being under pressure like this, playing always to win. I am very satisfied with what we are doing."

With such a healthy lead at the top of the table, Conte shuffled his pack for Cagliari's visit, with Lautaro Martinez and Achraf Hakimi given a rest, but Inter's cohesion did not suffer early on as they created plenty of chances.

Christian Eriksen forced the best save from Vicario in the first half – a fine one-handed stop to claw out a goalbound effort from the Dane.

As the match wore on, Inter started to look more nervous, and Conte brought Martinez and Hakimi on, with the latter instrumental in brilliantly setting up the chance for Darmian, who celebrated with a jubilant bench.

Inter's 12th successive home league win left them needing 14 points from their last eight matches to guarantee the Scudetto.

AC Milan sees off lowly Parma

Earlier Saturday, AC Milan earned a 3-1 win at Parma despite striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off for dissent.

Milan eased into a comfortable two-goal lead at the break thanks to goals from Ante Rebic in the eighth minute – a goal that was brilliantly set up by Ibrahimovic – and a fine Franck Kessie finish on the stroke of halftime.

Milan's task became much more difficult just before the hour mark, however, as out of the blue, Ibrahimovic was given a straight red card for something he said to the referee, much to the Swede's bemusement.

Riccardo Gagliolo got Parma back into the match six minutes later, but Rafael Leao added a late third for second-placed Milan.

Parma remains in trouble down in the 19th in the standings, four points from the safety zone.