FC Inter's Nicolo Barella (2nd R) scores his goal during a Serie A football match between Napoli and FC Inter in Naples, Italy, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Augusto Casasoli/Xinhua)
ROME, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sunday's highly-anticipated Serie A fixture between Napoli and Inter Milan turned out to be a lopsided affair, as visitors Inter emerged 3-0 winners with three different players on target.
Inter rotated their squad after having fought back from 3-0 to draw 3-3 with Benfica in midweek, while Napoli had lost to Real Madrid 4-2.
Marcus Thuram had the ball into the net for Inter in the 12th minute but it was chalked off for offside, while at the other end, Matteo Politano's rocket hit the woodwork.
The away side broke the deadlock before the break when Nicolo Barella nodded for Hakan Calhanoglu to hit in a blockbuster into the net.
Inter doubled their lead in the 61st minute when Lautaro Martinez rolled across for Barella who waltzed into the box before finishing with a low strike.
Thuram sealed the win in the 84th minute when the Frenchman turned in from close range after Juan Cuadrado's assist.
With the comfortable win, Inter regained top spot with 35 points, two points ahead of Juventus.
Also on Sunday, Roma registered a 2-1 comeback victory over 10-man Sassuolo, as Paulo Dybala's penalty canceled out Matheus Henrique's opener, before Rasmus Kristensen hit a deflected winner.
Elsewhere, Fiorentina dominated Salernitana 3-0, Udinese shared the spoils with Hellas Verona in a 3-3 draw, and Lecce and Bologna played out a 1-1 draw. ■
Roma's Paulo Dybala (L) vies with Sassuolo's Martin Erlic during a Serie A football match in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Roma's Bryan Cristante (top R) vies for the ball during a Serie A football match between Sassuolo and Roma in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Roma's Edoardo Bove (front R) vies with Sassuolo's Daniel Boloca (L) during a Serie A football match in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
FC Inter's Francesco Acerbi (front R) vies with Napoli's Victor Osimhen during a Serie A football match in Naples, Italy, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Augusto Casasoli/Xinhua)
FC Inter's Hakan Calhanoglu (R) vies with Napoli's Andre Anguissa during a Serie A football match in Naples, Italy, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Augusto Casasoli/Xinhua)
FC Inter's Lautaro Martinez (R) shoots the ball during a Serie A football match between Napoli and FC Inter in Naples, Italy, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Augusto Casasoli/Xinhua)
