Inter maintain their title charge with the devastation of Monza

Inter Milan extended their lead in Serie A by demolishing Monza 5-1 on Saturday, going five points ahead at the top. Hakan Calhanoglu scored a penalty for Inter in the 12th minute after Roberto Gagliardini handled Lautaro Martinez's header, and the visitors were two up seconds later.

Inter were whisked from one end of the pitch to the other in a fantastic team move that culminated with Martinez poking home from close range. In the 29th minute, Monza's Matteo Pessina had a header ruled out for the tiniest of offsides, and Calhanoglu sealed the points on the hour mark when he stroked in Marcus Thuram's beautiful lay-off. Pessina did score from the penalty spot nine minutes later, but the damage had already been done. With six minutes remaining, Martinez converted his own penalty to bring his league total to 18 for the season, and Thuram completed a flawless evening with a magnificent solo strike.