Roberto Mancini's side matched Roma's 11-match winning streak of last season by fighting back from a goal down to beat a stubborn Atalanta side 2-1 at the San Siro and maintain their seven-point cushion at the top of the table.

"This afternoon we showed that we are a great team with lots of grit," Inter's hard-tackling French midfielder Patrick Vieira told the club's television station, Inter Channel.

"Atalanta had us in great difficulty in the first half, but after the break we put all our determination on the pitch and it paid off."

Cristiano Doni gave Atalanta a half-time lead before Adriano equalised with his first goal in an Inter shirt for nine months.

Inter snatched the points when Atalanta defender Simone Loria headed into his own net 15 minutes from the end.

Mancini saluted his players for reacting positively after a frustrating first 45 minutes.

"We knew it was going to be a very tough match and Atalanta played very well in the first half, denying us space and not letting us settle," he said.

"But after the break we came out fighting to get the three points."

Mancini said he hoped Adriano's confidence would be restored after the Brazil international ended his lengthy goal drought.

"The goal was very important for him and let's hope he can start the new year by playing the way that we know he can," he said.