Inter Crush Roma in Easter Sunday Thriller

Ever walked into a pub expecting a tight scrap, only for one side to turn it into a lap of honour? That's Inter Milan versus Roma at the San Siro on Easter Sunday. Lautaro Martínez, fresh off an injury layoff since February, wasted no time – under two minutes in, he slotted home his 22nd of the season from Marcus Thuram's pinpoint pass. Talk about a welcome back party.

Roma's keeper Mile Svilar was earning his corn early, tipping efforts from Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Alessandro Bastoni and Martínez himself. Inter looked primed to steamroller, but Yann Sommer kept out Donyell Malen's leveller attempt. Piotr Zielinski curled one narrowly wide for the visitors, hinting at trouble ahead.

Brief Giallorossi Resistance, Then Çalhanoğlu's Rocket

Five minutes shy of half-time, Roma clawed back. Matías Soulé's clever slide set up Devyne Rensch, whose lofted cross found Gianluca Mancini to nod home. Game on? Not quite. As the whistle loomed, Çalhanoğlu unleashed a 35-yard piledriver that swerved like it had a vendetta – 2-1 Inter at the break. Pure magic, that one.

Inter boss Cristian Chivu's lads emerged hungrier in the second half, picking up exactly where that stunner left off. Thuram and Martínez danced again at the 52nd minute; the Argentine made no mistake with a cool finish. Three minutes later, Thuram rose highest from Çalhanoğlu's corner to head number four. Roma's night was unravelling faster than a cheap scarf.

Barella Bags Five, Pellegrini Scrapes Consolation

Nicolò Barella piled on the misery on 63 minutes, bulldozing into the box before smashing past Svilar for five. Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled one back late doors with a tidy left-footer after Malen's burst, but it was damage limitation. Denzel Dumfries nearly chipped a sixth, but Inter were already booking their title parade tickets.

This rout, as reported by PA via ESPN Italy and detailed by Susy Campanale at Football Italia, snapped Inter's four-game winless streak across comps. Martínez now sits on 23 Serie A goals – five clear of the peloton – while Thuram chipped in with a goal and two assists. Beppe Bergomi, chatting on Sky Sport Italia (via Peter Young at Football Italia), was buzzing: "Lautaro's got that killer instinct, unmarking like a ghost. But Thuram's the unsung hero – dragging defenders, creating space, bang on form."

Bergomi nailed it on Roma too: they huffed and puffed early, but Çalhanoğlu's rocket flipped the script emotionally. Second half? Inter bossed it while the Giallorossi flailed.

Title Race on Knife-Edge – Milan and Napoli, Your Move

Inter now nine points clear at Serie A's summit with seven games left. AC Milan host Napoli Monday night – anything but a win, and the Scudetto's Inter's to lose. The Nerazzurri had sputtered lately (just two wins in eight), giving chasers hope, but this was a statement. Bergomi's verdict? "Is the league done or dusted? Inter need five more wins, stay humble lads – Como next. No complacency."

Roma, meanwhile, trudged off ruing what-ifs, missing Gianluca Mancini post-match? Nah, he scored but couldn't stem the tide. Inter's stars shone vintage bright; Martínez the captain fantastic, Thuram the understated assassin. San Siro faithful left grinning – title charge resuming, full throttle. Fancy a pint to toast that lot?