Inter Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A to three points with a 2-0 win at third-bottom Atalanta on Sunday, thanks to goals from Carlos Augusto and Lautaro Martínez in a hard-fought encounter that saw both sides finish the game with 10 men.

Inter moved to 64 points ahead of Napoli, who are on 61 after Sunday's 0-0 draw at second-bottom Venezia, while Atalanta remain on 58.

The hosts were under pressure early on, with Inter's Marcus Thuram hitting the post with only goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi to beat, as the visitors started on the front foot.

Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was called into action to tip Mario Pasalic's header over the bar, while Éderson fired wide from distance.

Ademola Lookman went close for Atalanta before the break, but his shot was well off target as the first half ended goalless.

There was an interruption in play shortly after the break as Inter looked to take a corner. Hakan Calhanoglu's attention was drawn to a fan's medical problem in the away end before the visitors took the lead when play resumed.

Çalhanoglu flicked the ball into the six-yard box and Carlos rose unmarked to head into the bottom corner, Atalanta's Carnesecchi rooted to his spot to put Inter ahead in the 54th minute.

With the visitors unable to find a second goal, Atalanta continued to threaten, but their chances were dealt a blow nine minutes from time when Ederson was shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

The Brazilian midfielder was booked for dissent and, after sarcastically applauding the decision, the referee had no choice but to send him off.

Inter put the result beyond doubt three minutes from time when Martinez timed his run perfectly to latch on to Nicolò Barella's pass before firing past Carnesecchi from a wide angle just outside the six-yard box.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini was then given his marching orders and Inter should have added a third, but substitute Davide Frattesi, one-on-one with the keeper, shot straight at Carnesecchi.

Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni picked up an unnecessary second yellow card in stoppage time, but the result was never in doubt as Inter ended Atalanta's seven-match unbeaten league run and gave their own title hopes a massive boost.