GOAL! It's a hat-trick for Perisic! Joao Mario picks up possession 25 yards out and tries to beat Sorrentino with a long-range effort, but it's blocked on its way towards the goalkeeper. The ball then deflects down to Perisic, who quickly unleashes a low shot that rolls past Sorrentino and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
90' +1
Two great chances for Inter! The corner is swung into the middle of the penalty area and picks out Ranocchia, who is presented with another wonderful opportunity to beat Sorrentino but sends his header straight at the goalkeeper. Valero then shoots from distance after the ball is only cleared as far as the midfielder, and his thumping strike is well stopped by a diving Sorrentino save.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
Perisic twists and turns over on the left-hand side of the Chievo box before spinning and shooting, but Sorrentino is just about able to get a hand on the ball to tip it over the top of the crossbar and behind for a corner.
89'
Chievo do well to win themselves a late corner as they enjoy a decent end to the game. They're unable to carve out a chance on goal, however, and Inter counter-attack quickly, but Jarosynski is just about able to cut out the danger over on the right wing as Joao Mario tries to dart into space.
88'
What a chance for Karamoh to score his first ever Inter goal! Perisic and Dalbert link up really well over on the left-hand side of the Chievo penalty area, setting up the Brazilian to cut a lovely pass back to Karamoh. The youngster's first touch is sublime and allows him to get a shot away, but he pulls it just wide of the near post.
87'
P. Jaroszyński enters the game and replaces M. Gobbi.
Chievo have made a late switch, with Pawel Jaroszynski coming on to replace Gobbi and make his Serie A debut.
85'
Y. Karamoh enters the game and replaces A. Candreva.
Candreva receives a standing ovation from the home fans as he makes way for young Yann Karamoh.
84'
Another chance for Candreva! Brozovic picks up the ball on the halfway line and immediately sets up Candreva with a great pass into the right-hand side of the Chievo penalty area. The winger rushes onto the ball, gets the better of Gamberini and shoots, but he can only send his strike into the side-netting from a tight angle.
83'
Space opens up for Gobbi and allows the full-back to charge down the left flank on a determined run. He gets himself into a good position deep down the wing and then fires a low cross into the box, but Inter have plenty of bodies back to deal with the danger.
81'
And now Brozovic goes close! The number 77 is the latest player to try and beat Sorrentino with an excellent strike from distance, and, like Perisic a moment ago, his curling effort fails to find the back of the net by the narrowest of margins.
Minute
Description
79'
Almost a lovely goal for Inter! Joao Mario picks up the ball on the right-hand side of the Chievo box and quickly lifts a cheeky chip into the path of Perisic. The Croatian immediately shoots, and his rocket of a volley flies just wide of the near post after getting the better of Sorrentino.
78'
Birsa gets himself into a good position deep inside the Inter half of the pitch once again before curling another decent cross into the hosts' penalty area, but this time Ranocchia manages to throw his body in the way of the ball to stop it from finding Inglese.
77'
Dalbert enters the game and replaces D. D'Ambrosio.
Inter have made their second alteration of the game, with Dalbert Henrique coming on to replace D'Ambrosio.
76'
Perisic makes a nuisance of himself over on the left flank once again, and he has to settle for another corner after failing to fire it into the middle of the box. It's sent short and worked over to Candreva, who shoots from the edge of the penalty area but can't guide his strike into the corner of the net.
75'
Éder enters the game and replaces M. Icardi.
All of the Inter fans get to their feet and serenade Icardi with a rousing round of applause as he's replaced by Eder.
74'
Fantastic chance for Inglese to pull one back! Chievo are presented with a rare opportunity to push forward after space opens up over on the right wing. Birsa cuts towards the penalty area and then chips a pass straight to Inglese, who is all alone in front of goal and only has Handanovic to beat but somehow fires his side-footed shot wide of the goal. He really should have buried that!
72'
The corner initially fails to result in a chance on goal, but Inter quickly regain possession and win themselves another corner, this time over on the left flank. It's sent short and worked to Joao Mario, who curls a lovely cross over to the far post that goes close to setting up D'Ambrosio to shoot.
71'
Candreva makes another good run down the right wing before firing a low cross into the Chievo penalty area, but it can't quite pick out a team-mate in front of goal and the ball is poked behind for a corner.
69'
L. Garritano enters the game and replaces R. Meggiorini.
Chievo have made their second change of the game, with Luca Garritano coming on to take the place of Meggiorini.
68'
It now looks as if Chievo are just going to sit deep and try to avoid conceding any more goals. It really has been a miserable afternoon for them, and they'll be aiming to try and deny Inter any more joy on what is proving to be an excellent day for the rampant Nerazzurri.
66'
With four goals under their belts, you can forgive Inter for taking their foot off the pedal slightly. They're still knocking the ball around nicely inside the Chievo half of the pitch, however, and Candreva eventually curls in a cross that's just about cleared before it can pick out Icardi.
64'
N. Tomović enters the game and replaces N. Rigoni.
Rigoni eventually hobbles off the pitch to be replaced by Nenad Tomovic. It looks as if the visitors are going to play with a five-man defence for the remainder of the game.
62'
Nicola Rigoni is down on the ground and looks to be really struggling, and it's no wonder why. He's been forced to work extremely hard in front of the under-pressure Chievo defence, and it looks as if his game has come to a premature end.
60'
M. Škriniar has scored a goal for Inter Milan! Assist by A. Candreva.
Candreva has been on fire over on the right wing, where he's constantly been causing all sorts of problems for the visitors on the break. Chievo haven't figured out a way of dealing with him, and it's hurt them horribly.
GOAL! Inter are running riot! A lofted pass is fired deep down the right flank and manages to pick out Candreva in a great position. The winger takes a quick touch and then chips a lovely cross over to the far post, where Skriniar, who had made a wonderful run from centre-back, beats Sorrentino with an excellent diving header.
59'
Thumping strike by Brozovic! Chievo immediately lose the ball from the restart and are hit on yet another blisteringly quick counter-attack. Brozovic charges forward and shoots from 25 yards out, but this time Sorrentino gets down well to stop the effort with a diving save.
57'
I. Perišić has scored a goal for Inter Milan!
GOAL! It's another for Inter! Once again, Chievo leave themselves exposed inside their own half of the pitch and allow Perisic to dart forward on a great run. He breaks into the box and quickly shoots, and Sorrentino can't quite get enough of a hand on the effort to push it away from goal.
56'
A. Ranocchia gets yellow.
An Inter attacking move breaks down, allowing Chievo to try and hit the home side on a quick counter-attack. They're unable to do so though, as Ranocchia cynically takes out Meggiorini from behind and earns himself the first booking of the afternoon.
54'
Great chance for Perisic! A looping Joao Mario cross somehow evades everyone inside the Chievo box and finds Perisic at the far post, but the Croatian can't quite make decent enough contact with the ball and sends his first-time strike bouncing into the hands of Sorrentino.
52'
It's all Inter at the moment as they continue to pile plenty of bodies deep into the Chievo half of the pitch. Santon picks up the ball out wide after linking up with Skriniar and quickly crosses, but Cacciatore is just about able to get a foot on the pass to stop it from penetrating the penalty area.
50'
And now Brozovic goes close! The Chievo defence don't close down the Croatian quickly enough and allow him to shoot from the edge of the box, and this time Sorrentino is able to get enough of a hand on the strike to stop it from finding the back of the net.
48'
Candreva almost makes it 3-0! Another poor giveaway by Chievo midway inside their own half of the pitch allows the winger to dart forward on a blisteringly quick run. He then unleashes a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out, but it flies just a yard or so wide of the near post after beating Sorrentino.
46'
We're underway once again!
45'
Candreva sprints down the right flank and cuts towards the edge of the Chievo box before unleashing what should be the final shot of the half, and it's one that gives Sorrentino a slight scare as it sails a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
44'
Chievo show a bit more urgency as they break down the left wing and manage to win themselves a corner. It's a great opportunity for them to finally cause some real problems for the Inter back line, but the cross isn't good enough to trouble the hosts' defence and the danger is comfortably cleared.
42'
A long-range strike from Birsa is easily stopped by Handanovic, and the goalkeeper quickly kick-starts an Inter counter-attack. Brozovic sprints into the Chievo penalty area and looks as if he's going to be able to get a shot away, but there are too many yellow shirts in front of him and he can't quite squeeze a strike through.
40'
Inter are almost able to carve out yet another chance on goal as they pile forward once again, but they're unable to do so after a header-cum-pass from Brozovic fails to find a team-mate and bounces comfortably wide of the Chievo goal.
38'
M. Icardi has scored a goal for Inter Milan! Assist by M. Brozović.
Brozovic did really well to take advantage of that mistake by the visitors, but, once again, Chievo won't be at all happy with their sloppy play. Sorrentino also didn't cover himself in glory with his attempt at pulling off a save.
GOAL! It's 2-0 to Inter! Chievo were just starting to get themselves back into the game, but they've shot themselves in the foot with really poor play. A misplaced Inglese pass can only find Brozovic, who immediately picks out Icardi ahead of him. The striker darts into the penalty area and takes on Sorrentino, who is able to get a hand on his shot but can't stop it from bouncing into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
36'
A deflected Brozovic pass looks as if it's going to result in a chance on goal for Icardi. The Inter captain picks up possession just inside the penalty area and tries to spin and shoot, but Alessandro Gamberini sticks to him like glue and pokes the ball away at the vital moment.
35'
With 10 minutes to go until half-time, Inter have taken their foot off the pedal slightly. Chievo push forward once again - this time down the right wing - as Cacciatore darts forward, but the full-back isn't able to pick out a team-mate in front of goal with his curling cross and instead sends it straight into Handanovic's hands.
33'
Space opens up for Chievo again as they try to get back into the game. Samuel Bastien receives the ball in a promising position midway inside the Inter half of the pitch and quickly tees up Meggiorini out wide. The striker tries to set up Inglese with a swerving cross, but Milan Skriniar is there to get a head on it at the near post.
31'
Santon and Candreva have been showing good understanding with one another, with the full-back often managing to pick out the winger with quick, cross-field passes. He tries to do so again after sprinting down the left wing, but he's unable to do so this time and sends his lofted pass behind for a goal-kick.
29'
It's proving to be a tough afternoon for the two Chievo strikers, who are really struggling to get anywhere near the ball due to Inter's dominance of possession. Massimo Gobbi is presented with a good opportunity to dart down the left wing and into a decent position, but his cross into the penalty area is poor and bounces straight into the hands of Handanovic.
27'
What a chance for Joao Mario to make it 2-0! Sloppy defending from Chievo allows Icardi to pick up the ball in acres of space midway inside the visitors' half of the pitch. It initially looks as if he's lost the ball after being closed down on the edge of the box, but he does well to spin and find Joao Mario. The Portuguese then shoots, but his low effort is well saved by the legs of Sorrentino.
25'
Chievo almost immediately lose the ball from the restart and the home side push forward once again. Another good cross from Candreva manages to find a team-mate in front of goal, but Brozovic can't do much with the ball and the visitors do well to clear the danger without too many problems.
23'
I. Perišić has scored a goal for Inter Milan!
GOAL! Inter have taken the lead! Santon, who has started the game really brightly, darts down the left flank and cuts into the box before shooting. Sorrentino does well to save the effort at the near post, but he can only push the ball out to Perisic, whose thumping half-volley is too powerful for the goalkeeper to keep out.
22'
Candreva curls a clever cross into the Chievo penalty area and it manages to find Icardi in a promising position. The striker brings down the ball, spins and tries to cut a pass back to Perisic, but Fabrizio Cacciatore is just about able to clear the danger at the vital moment.
20'
Inches away from Icardi! Perisic is easily able to skip away from his marker as he darts down the left wing and into a pocket of space. He then fizzes an excellent pass across the face of goal, where Icardi desperately tries to get a toe on the ball but can't quite do so.
18'
Yet another chance for Ranocchia! With just 18 minutes on the clock, the defender has been presented with three good opportunities to put the Nerazzurri in front. This time he darts towards the near post and latches onto a well-placed corner, but he can't quite find the back of the net with his glancing header.
16'
Chievo look horribly open at the back, and they're just about managing to keep the scoreline goalless as Inter keep pushing forward. Marcelo Brozovic is the latest player to try and blast in a shot from inside the penalty area, but his effort is well blocked and loops behind for a corner that's well cleared by Sorrentino.
14'
And now Ranocchia almost scores! It's end to end stuff at the moment! A curling corner flies into the middle of the Chievo penalty area and looks set to fall to Ranocchia after pinballing around dangerously, but the centre-back can't quite get a shot away and the visitors hold on.
13'
Huge chance at the other end! Chievo have done little inside the Inter half of the pitch, but they just went close to opening the scoring through Riccardo Meggiorini. The striker did really well to rise high and latch onto a swinging cross, but Samir Handanovic got down low and managed to push the header away from danger.
12'
Santon goes close! The full-back is constantly managing to find plenty of space over on the left flank whenever he pushes forward. This time he links up nicely with Perisic and manages to unleash a thumping strike from 25 yards out, but it bounces just a yard or two wide of the far post.
10'
The visitors go close to enjoying their first chance of the afternoon thanks to good play by Roberto Inglese over on the left flank. The striker does well to shrug off two Inter players before setting up Valter Birsa to cross, but Ranocchia is there at the near post to clear the danger with an outstretched leg.
8'
Chievo try to push forward down the left wing, but they're unable to do much with the ball and Inter quickly win it back again. Borja Valero is picked out in a pocket of space in the middle of the pitch and immediately tries to set up Mauro Icardi on the edge of the box, but his pass is slightly misplaced and rolls behind the striker.
6'
Inter are continuing to put plenty of pressure on the Chievo defence as they try to carve out another early chance on goal. Santon gets himself into a good position out wide once again before finding Candreva with another clever pass, and this time the winger unleashes a thumping half-volley that's well saved by Stefano Sorrentino at the near post.
4'
Davide Santon breaks down the left flank before sending a lofted pass over to the right-hand side of the Chievo box. It's well met by Antonio Candreva, who then sets up Danilo D'Ambrosio with a clever back-heel, but the full-back can't pick out a team-mate inside the penalty area and instead sends his pass straight to a yellow shirt.
2'
What a chance for Andrea Ranocchia! The corner is swung into the heart of the penalty area and picks out Ranocchia in a perfect position. The defender is almost able to celebrate his return to the starting line-up with the game's opening goal, but his bullet header flies just over the top of the crossbar.
1'
We're off! Chievo get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Inter quickly win possession from the visitors and immediately burst forward on the first attacking move of the game. Ivan Perisic darts down the left wing before cutting inside and shooting, but Dario Dainelli is there to block the strike and head it over the crossbar for a corner.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Serie A game between Inter and Chievo at San Siro.
Things remain as close as ever at the top of the Serie A table, where just four points separate current leaders Napoli and fourth-place Roma. Napoli’s narrow defeat at home to Juventus on Friday evening means Inter are the only side yet to lose a league game this season, and another victory here today would send them ahead of the Partenopei and right to the summit of the table.
Inter have certainly been helped by the fact that they’re currently only battling on one front, allowing them to fully concentrate on domestic affairs while other title challengers have to deal with the Champions League as well. Torino are the only side to hold the Nerazzurri to a draw in their last five outings, with Cagliari the latest to fall to Luciano Spalletti’s men in a 3-1 defeat last weekend.
On paper, Inter should be able to continue their impressive run with another win this afternoon, but they have to take on a rugged and hard-working Chievo side. With 20 points, the Gialloblu head into today’s game in a respectable ninth place, and they’re unbeaten in their last three Serie A outings after enjoying a return to form at the start of November.
Inter will be well aware that Chievo pose a serious threat when they’ve got their backs against the wall, as was the case against Napoli a month ago. They held the league leaders to a goalless draw before similarly frustrating Torino after the international break, and they then went on to show great grit and determination to fight from a goal down to beat SPAL late on last Saturday.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this this afternoon…
Inter XI (4-2-3-1): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, Ranocchia, Santon; Joao Mario, Valero; Candreva, Brozovic, Perisic; Icardi.
Luciano Spalletti has decided to make two changes to the Inter side that beat Cagliari last weekend, with Joao Mario and Andrea Ranocchia coming into the starting line-up to replace Matias Vecino and the suspended Joao Miranda.
Meanwhile, Chievo boss Rolando Maran has made three alterations to the team that featured in their last league outing, with Botjan Cesar, Nenad Tomovic and Perparim Hetemaj making way for Dario Dainelli, Alessandro Gamberini and Fabio Depaoli, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: INTER 2-0 CHIEVO
It's all going to plan for Inter, who are on course to head to the top of the Serie A table thanks to a wonderful first half. They've been on the front foot for most of the afternoon and are causing all sorts of problems for the visitors' back line. An experienced defence have been put under plenty of pressure, and Perisic was finally able to find the back of the net before Icardi doubled the Nerazzurri's lead with his 16th goal of the season.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: INTER 5-0 CHIEVO
What a way to head to the top of the table! Inter were totally dominant throughout the game and made the afternoon an incredibly miserable one for their visitors, who carved out a couple of decent chances on goal but, overall, struggled badly. They let themselves down with several poor mistakes, and they allowed the Nerazzurri to constantly find acres of space in and around their penalty area. In the end, it was far too easy for Luciano Spalletti's in-form men.
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