Napoli are top of the table, four points clear of Inter after they beat AC Milan 2-0 on Tuesday courtesy of a Romelu Lukaku goal and a sensational strike by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Defending champions Inter overwhelmed Emopli after they were reduced to 10 men on the half hour as Saba Goglichidze walked for a dangerous tackle on Marcus Thuram.
A brace from Davide Frattesi, a deflection and a composed finish in the 50th and 67th minutes put Simone Inzaghi's charges in the driving seat while Lautaro Martinez's 79th minute clincher came after a defensive blunder.
"It was important to win after Napoli's victory," Inter captain Martinez said.
This was a fifth league match without defeat for Inter following their barnstorming 4-4 draw with Juventus at the weekend.
After the game Inzaghi said he hadn't been thinking about Empoli or Napoli.
"I've been thinking a lot over the last two days about our draw against Juve, there are things that didn't work and we should have won this match," Inter coach Inzaghi admitted.
Juventus can pull to within a point if they beat Parma later.
Udinese were beaten 3-2 by promoted Venezia, who trailed 2-0 before Joel Pohjanpalo converted a pair of penalties followed by a strike from Hans Nicolussi Caviglia to climb off the bottom of the table.
Atalanta host Monza in Wednesday's fourth game.
