Romelu Lukaku scored two goals and set up another as Inter Milan beat relegation-threatened Genoa 4-0 on Saturday to move level with Juventus at the top of the Serie A table heading into the winter break.
Lukaku could have had a hat trick but allowed teenage forward Sebastiano Esposito to take a second-half penalty. The 17-year-old Esposito converted for his first goal on his first Serie A start.
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Romelu Lukaku scored two goals and set up another as Inter Milan beat relegation-threatened Genoa 4-0 on Saturday to move level with Juventus at the top of the Serie A table heading into the winter break.
However, Inter was on a three-match winless streak that had seen it slip to second and crash out of the Champions League, and Lukaku’s strike partner, Lautaro Martínez, was suspended.
Lukaku could have doubled his tally shortly after the hour mark when Inter was awarded a penalty for Kevin Agudelo’s foul on Gagliardini. But the Belgium forward gave the ball to Esposito, who celebrated wildly after converting.
Cagliari’s Champions League bid took a hit as it lost 2-1 at struggling Udinese.
The home side led from the 39th as Rodrigo De Paul curled in a magnificent opener.
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Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte gives indications during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte waves to fans at the end of the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. Inter won 4-0. AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter Milan's Sebastiano Esposito and teammates celebrate their 4-0 win at the end of the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter needed the win to spend the festive period joint top of the table after Juventus won at Sampdoria midweek.
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, left, hands the ball to teammate Sebastiano Esposito to kick a penalty, during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
However, Inter was on a three-match winless streak that had seen it slip to second and crash out of the Champions League, and Lukaku’s strike partner, Lautaro Martínez, was suspended.
Genoa was second from bottom and had lost its previous six matches at Inter, scoring just once.
Inter broke the deadlock with two goals in quick succession. Lukaku headed in Antonio Candreva’s cross in the 31st minute and turned provider two minutes later for Roberto Gagliardini’s deflected strike.
Inter Milan's Sebastiano Esposito celebrates with his teammate Romelo Lukaku after scoring his side's third goal during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Lukaku could have doubled his tally shortly after the hour mark when Inter was awarded a penalty for Kevin Agudelo’s foul on Gagliardini. But the Belgium forward gave the ball to Esposito, who celebrated wildly after converting.
Lukaku did get a second in the 71st, taking his tally to 12 in Serie A since his move from Manchester United in the off-season.
SURPRISE LOSS
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, left, blows a kiss as he celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Cagliari’s Champions League bid took a hit as it lost 2-1 at struggling Udinese.
Cagliari remains fifth but is six points below Roma and the final qualifying position for Europe’s premier club competition.
Udinese moved five points above the relegation zone ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures.
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku fires a shot during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
The home side led from the 39th as Rodrigo De Paul curled in a magnificent opener.
Cagliari thought it had secured a point when Joao Pedro leveled with six minutes remaining but Seko Fofana restored Udinese’s lead less than a minute later.
Fabio Pisacane was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card to add to Cagliari’s misery.
Inter Milan's Sebastiano Esposito celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Inter Milan's Sebastiano Esposito scores on a penalty his side's third goal during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte gives indications during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte waves to fans at the end of the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. Inter won 4-0. AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter Milan's Sebastiano Esposito and teammates celebrate their 4-0 win at the end of the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)