Pazzini on target as Inter see off Lille

Inter Milan finally found something to cheer about when Giampaolo Pazzini's first-half goal gave them a 1-0 win at Lille and top spot in Champions League Group B on Tuesday. Pazzini volleyed home in the 21st minute to put Inter, who are 17th in Serie A after a terrible start to the season, on six points from three games. They lead CSKA Moscow, who beat Trabzonspor 3-0 earlier on Tuesday, by two points, with the Turks and Russians on four and French champions Lille bottom on two points. Lille dominated the match but were caught cold by Pazzini's strike and, despite fine performances by Eden Hazard and Joe Cole, lacked presence in the area to get on the scoresheet. It was only Inter's second clean sheet of the season, their first since a goalless draw against AS Roma a month ago, as the visitors played cautiously throughout. They found the back of the net with their first clear chance, when Pazzini volleyed home from a Mauro Zarate cross. The goal spurred Lille into action, with Hazard turning on the engine in the midfield, making the Inter defence's life a misery with a string of devastating runs on the right flank. On the left wing, Cole was also in a class of his own but Julio Cesar was quick off his line to collect the former England international's through pass towards Moussa Sow. Inter were happy to sit back and wait, proving dangerous on the break with Zarate the main threat to the Lille defence. The hosts came into the second half with all guns blazing but they lacked bite in the box, prompting coach Rudi Garcia to replace midfielder Benoit Pedretti with striker Dimitri Payet after the hour mark. Payet had a clear chance in the 66th minute but his fine curled shot from just inside the area was palmed away by Julio Cesar. Cesar then again denied Sow, diving at the Senegal striker's feet to nudge the ball away as Inter held on to claim the points.