Adriano's header gave Inter a deserved half-time lead in Turin, only for Stefano Fiore to equalise in the 59th minute with a deflected shot.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's sublime strike just 30 seconds later restored the champions' advantage before Marco Materazzi's late penalty ended Torino's resistance.

Torino keeper Christian Abbiati was sent off for clumsily bringing down Adriano for the spot-kick and substitute Massimo Taibi's first job was to pick the ball out of the net.

Inter equalled Roma's record of 11 straight wins -- which was set last season by the capital club -- when they beat Atalanta 2-1 in the previous round of matches.

A 12th win for Inter, who finished third last season but were handed the title after Juventus and AC Milan were found guilty of match-fixing, left them on 51 points, 10 clear of Roma who visit Messina on Sunday.

In Saturday's early match Empoli beat relegation-threatened Parma 2-0 to stake their claim as outsiders for the fourth and final Champions League place.

Coached by former Inter boss Alberto Zaccheroni, Torino started aggressively, snapping quickly into the tackle and showing no signs of fatigue as league action returned in Italy after a three-week break.

But Inter held their nerve and hit their hosts on the break in the 24th minute.

Brazilian wingback Maicon tore down the right wing and crossed into the box for Adriano whose flicked header gave Abbiati no chance.

Adriano should have doubled his tally before half-time when Ibrahimovic cut the ball back invitingly after a robust run, but the Brazil international sliced his shot wide.

Torino had Inter under the cosh at the start of the second half and their positive approach brought them back on level terms, although they did have a large slice of fortune.

Julio Cesar appeared to have Fiore's curling shot covered, but the ball struck Materazzi to wrong-foot the Inter keeper.

The Torino fans were still on their feet when Ibrahimovic produced a moment of magic, racing after Dejan Stankovic's ball and hooking a right-footed shot into the top corner from an acute angle.

A rush of blood to Abbiati's head allowed Materazzi to give Inter a two-goal cushion five minutes from time, his poorly-struck penalty eluding Taibi's feeble grasp.

Andrea Raggi's first Serie A goal put Empoli ahead against Parma before the visitors had their Senegalese defender Ferdinand Coly sent off for two yellow cards in the 58th minute.

Substitute Davide Matteini put the result beyond doubt 14 minutes from time with a crisp volley.