Romelu Lukaku scored twice and allowed Sebastiano Esposito to mark a landmark appearance with a goal as Inter dominated Genoa.
Match Report
Sebastiano Esposito made history while Romelu Lukaku got two goals and an assist as a depleted Inter thumped Genoa 4-0 at home to ensure they will end 2019 top of Serie A.
Inter scored twice in 99 seconds just after the half-hour mark set up the emphatic win at San Siro on Saturday, Lukaku netting a header that was followed up by a Roberto Gagliardini strike as Antonio Conte's men moved above Juventus on goal difference.
At 17, Esposito became Inter's youngest player to start a Serie A match in the 21st century as Conte shuffled his pack due to a host of absentees and the teenager made sure of victory with a second-half penalty, before Lukaku – who had allowed him to take the spot-kick – struck once more.
Former Inter midfielder Thiago Motta is likely to lose his job as Genoa boss after his uninspired side were left with only two wins from 17 league games heading into the festive break.
Standings
Match Events
22' CLOSE! Candreva's shot saved
Candreva latches onto the loose ball and hammers a half-volley towards goal with real power. It could be troublesome, but Radu stoops down to catch it - making it two impressive stops in a row.
31' GOAL! Inter 1-0 Genoa (Lukaku)
Candreva brings play to a stop on the right and stands over the ball, before scooping a cross into the penalty area for Lukaku, who gets across his man and heads it into the bottom corner!
32' GOAL! Inter 2-0 Genoa (Gagliardini)
TWO GOALS IN TWO MINUTES! Genoa are collapsing! Lukaku backs into Romero and lays it off to Gagliardini after a long throw-in, and the midfielder absolutely smashes a first-time strike into the corner of the goal! Radu attempted to make the stop, but got taken into the goal with the shot!
39' CLOSE! Lukaku's shot wide out
64' Penalty Goal! Inter 3-0 Genoa (Esposito)
Agudelo gets the wrong side of Gagliardini and brings him down clumsily! The Genoa player will have no complaints as he’s shown a yellow card and gives Inter a chance to go up by three.
Lukaku allows the 17-year old striker the opportunity to score his first goal for Inter, which he does with absolute glee. He dispatches the spot-kick into the bottom-left corner, though Radu guessed correctly.
66' AGAIN! Handanovic denies Sanabria's effort
71' GOAL! Inter 4-0 Genoa (Lukaku)
Candreva finds Lukaku just inside the penalty area, and the striker shifts it onto his left foot, before smashing a thunderbolt into the far corner! Radu had no chance at full-stretch!