Romelu Lukaku scores after 32 seconds as Inter defeat Genoa

Antonio Conte’s side hand opponents their first league loss since early January

 Inter Milan's Matteo Darmian celebrates scoring with Romelu Lukaku. Reuters

Romelu Lukaku scored after just 32 seconds and helped to set up two goals as league leaders Inter Milan beat Genoa 3-0 in the Serie A on Sunday.

Inter dominated but took until the 69th minute to double their lead, through Matteo Darmian. Substitute Alexis Sanchez sealed the win for Antonio Conte’s side.

It was Genoa’s first league defeat since early January and left them in 13th position, eight points above the drop zone.

Inter were bidding for a fifth straight league win and got off to the perfect start when Nicolo Barella sent a ball through to Lukaku, who played a quick one-two with Lautaro Martinez before drilling into the bottom left corner. It was his club’s second fastest Serie A strike since Opta started taking records in 2004.

The Nerazzurri wasted a number of chances and Barella also hit a long-range stunner off the crossbar in the 17th.

Inter finally doubled their lead when Lukaku drew defenders toward him before setting up an unmarked Darmian.

Sanchez was brought on in the 76th and the Inter forward immediately scored as he turned in the rebound after Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin parried Lukaku’s effort. The goal was originally ruled out for offside but was awarded on video review.

It was only the second league game Genoa have lost since coach Davide Ballardini replaced Rolando Maran in December, while Inter have won five Serie A matches in a row, conceding one goal in that time.

"We're top of the table and that's a good feeling for us," Lukaku told Sky Italia.

"We mustn't give up, last year we lost some of these games but this year we're growing.

"These matches are a chance for us to send a message to the other teams, but the season is long."

Earlier, Atalanta moved up the table after a 2-0 win at Sampdoria, thanks to goals from Ruslan Malinovskyi and Robin Gosens.

New Cagliari coach Leonardo Semplici enjoyed a debut to remember as he oversaw a 2-0 win away to bottom side Crotone to end a 16-match winless league run stretching back to November 7.