Last Updated: February 21, 2021 8:01 pm
Romelu Lukaku proved the star of the show this afternoon, as Inter got the better of AC Milan to extend their advantage at the Serie A summit.
Nerazzurri setting the pace
Rivalries were renewed at the San Siro a short time ago, in the latest edition of the Derby della Madonnina.
The clash marked a crucial one not only for bragging rights, but also in the race for the Italian top-flight title.
With Juventus enduring something of a down season under the guidance of the inexperienced Andrea Pirlo, the Milanese giants have been handed a chance to break free, to battle it out between themselves.
Ahead of kick-off this evening, it was Inter who held the advantage atop Serie A, boasting a one-point lead over the Rossoneri.
And, when all was said and done at the San Siro, Antonio Conte’s men only went on to extend this advantage.
Attacking pair Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez proved the difference-makers in the clash, en route to a pair of direct goal contributions apiece.
The latter was responsible for both the evening’s opener, and 2nd, the first of which was teed up courtesy of a sumptuous delivery from his strike partner:
Inter strike first! 🔵⚫
Brilliant by Lukaku, who placed a perfect cross on Lautaro’s head for the opening goal 🙌 pic.twitter.com/65JSH0cIma
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) February 21, 2021
And Lukaku went on to round out a stellar individual display with a goal of his own 25 minutes from time, showcasing his pace, spatial awareness and ruthless finishing ability to hand Inter firm control of the Serie A title race:
Lukaku gets his reward for his outstanding performance! 🙌
Inter in control of the derby 🔵⚫
Inter in control of the title race? 👀 pic.twitter.com/qGZFL05oTO
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) February 21, 2021
Big Rom dazzling
On the back of his latest scintillating showing, meanwhile, a number of statistics, highlighting the true extent of Lukaku’s brilliant recent form, have since been forthcoming online.
First, it was confirmed that the Belgian has now overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo atop this season’s Italian top-flight scoring charts, with 17 goals:
Lukaku is now Serie A’s top scorer with 17 goals, one clear of Ronaldo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CFwaFXw7R1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 21, 2021
Even more impressive, however, is the fact that Lukaku has become the first player in the long and storied history of the fixture to ever find the net in 5 consecutive Milan derbies:
🖐 @RomeluLukaku9 is the FIRST player to score in 5 successive Milan derbies (all competitions)
⚫️🔵 Inter (53) extended their lead at the 🔝 of @SerieA to 4 points with a 3-0 win over rivals Milan (49) today pic.twitter.com/D14b1SN8vY
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) February 21, 2021
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This article was edited by Josh Barker.
Source: 101greatgoals.com
