Lukaku scores after 32 seconds

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

Inter dominated but took until the 69th minute to double its lead, through Matteo Darmian. Substitute Alexis Sánchez sealed the win to ensure Antonio Conte's side moved seven points above second-place AC Milan, which visits Roma in the late game. Napoli was also playing later, against Benevento.

It was Genoa's first league defeat since early January and left it 13th, eight points above the drop zone.

Inter was bidding for a fifth straight league win and it got off to the perfect start when Nicolò Barella sent a ball through to Lukaku, who played a quick one-two with Lautaro Martínez before drilling into the bottom left corner.

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

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

Sánchez 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.

In the evening match AC Milan returned to winning form after two consecutive defeats beating Roma 2-1 at the Olimpico to consolidate the second place behind Inter.

Milan dominated the first half hitting the crossbar and taking the lead with Frank Kessie penalty.

In the second half Roma levelled matters with a Veretout strike from just inside the area but on 58 minutes Milan scored the winner through Ante Rebic.

Balzan bounced back after suffering Sliema’s opener to score five times and gain three precious points in their quest to avoid relegation. The win lifts Balzan, who are still in troubled waters, but at least Balzan are at the moment out of the last four.

Balzan have still a long way to go but at least yesterday’s performance augurs well for the remaining decisive matches. On the other hand the Wanderers suffered another setback as they European aspirations receive a sever blow.

For Sliema this was the fourth consecutive match without a win as high flying Birkirkara have now a four-point advantage in the race for fourth place.

After a quite start Balzan made the first attempt at goal with Duric firing from a distance but Sliema goalkeeper Jake Galea was not at all surprised. Minutes later another Balzan effort with Sanoh again testing Galea.

Sliema made their presence felt on fourteen minutes with Cisotti’s central drive easily blocked by Vranes.

Six minutes later Sliema broke the deadlock when Satariano pounced on a Balzan defensive blunder to put the Blues in front.

Balzan lost their composure after this unexpected cold shower and ten minutes later Cisotti had another good opportunity but Vranes again blocked the danger. On 32 minutes Balzan drew level when Andrejic powered his way inside the area and managed to beat Galea with an angled drive.

Sixty seconds later and Balzan were in front when Ljubomirac all alone in front of goal made no mistake with the Sliema defence caught napping.

Balzan were now in the driving seat with the Wanderers in apparent panic state. And it was no surprise that just before the break Balzan added another one when Sanoh got the better of two Sliema defenders to beat Galea.

Sliema’s reaction on the resumption failed to materialise with two efforts from Cisotti and Kakinuma missing the target. On 65 minutes Balzan put the game to bed when Dimic concluded a swift Balzan move to beat Galea again.

The game had little or nothing more to offer, but their was still some misery awaiting the Blues. On 78 minutes Andrejic missed a sitter all alone in front of Galea, but on 89 minutes Ljubomirac made no mistake rounding goalkeeper Galea before scoring in an open goal.