Sanchez double secures club record win for Inter
Inter Milan notched up a club record 14 consecutive home wins in Serie A as two goals from Alexis Sanchez gave it a 5-1 win over Sampdoria on Sunday (AEST).
The recently-crowned Serie A champion took the lead in the fourth minute when Roberto Gagliardini guided the ball beyond Emil Audero.
Sanchez gave a reminder of his quality with a classy finish to increase Inter's lead before ex-Inter man Antonio Candreva pulled a goal back for Sampdoria.
Another fine finish from Sanchez made it 3-1 heading into half-time before Antonio Conte's side put a deserved gloss on the result with a clinical goal from Andrea Pinamonti and a Lautaro Martínez penalty.
Inter was serenaded by its fans outside San Siro and given a guard of honour by Sampdoria's players before kick-off having secured its first Scudetto in 11 years last week.
The Nerazzurri were quickly into their stride on the pitch and went ahead when Matias Vecino stole possession to set up a counter-attack which culminated in Gagliardini sliding in to direct Ashley Young's cross into the net.
Achraf Hakimi almost scored a dazzling individual goal with a run from his own penalty area only to be denied by a fingertip save by the diving Audero.
Inter's second goal arrived just before the half hour when Sampdoria was again caught on the break as Gagliardini's clever pass found Sanchez who steered the ball home in style.
Sampdoria pulled a goal back moments later when Samir Handanovic was deceived by Candreva's miscued shot and tamely allowed the ball over the line.
Inter responded immediately with a piece of precise finishing from Sanchez, who met Hakimi's cross and found the corner of the net with a clipped finish from the just inside the box.
Conte's men were ruthless after the break as Pinamonti scored his first Inter goal in Serie A when he controlled an awkward ball and crisply dispatched it beyond Audero.
Sampdoria's Adrien Silva was deemed to have handled inside the area after a VAR (video assistant referee) check and Martinez fired the resulting spot-kick high into the net.
