MILAN (AP) — Lautaro Martinez returned from injury in spectacular fashion, scoring twice to lead Inter Milan to a commanding 5-2 victory over Roma at San Siro on Sunday.
The Argentine striker's second-half brace ended Inter's four-match winless streak across all competitions and restored their dominance at the top of Serie A.
Inter regains title momentum
Martinez opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, converting from close range after Roma had briefly equalized through Gianluca Mancini.
Hakan Calhanoglu, fresh off helping Turkey qualify for the World Cup, doubled Inter's lead before halftime. Marcus Thuram and Nicolò Barella added further goals to extend the advantage.
Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled one back for Roma late, but it was too little too late as Inter secured a convincing win.
Standings update: Inter moved nine points ahead of city rival AC Milan and 10 points clear of defending champion Napoli, who play Milan on Monday.
Bologna edge Cremonese
Earlier, Bologna claimed a crucial 2-1 victory away at relegation-threatened Cremonese to climb into eighth place.
Joao Mario and Jonathan Rowe scored early for Bologna before Federico Bonazzoli converted a late penalty for the home side.
Cremonese's Youssef Maleh and Bologna's Lewis Ferguson were both sent off in stoppage time. Former Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was unavailable due to a muscle injury.
Around Serie A
Torino earned a 1-0 victory at last-place Pisa thanks to Che Adams' 80th-minute strike.
Bologna now prepare to host Aston Villa in the Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday.