Inter Milan sit at the top of the Serie A mountain. Goals from Mauro Icardi and a brilliant hit from Marcelo Brozovic gave the Nerazzurri a 3-1 win over Cagliari.

The position on the standings may only be a temporary visit, as Napoli travel to play Udinese tomorrow.

The home side controlled much of the first half. Miranda got called for a handball in the 13th minute, meaning he will miss the next fixture. Samir Handanovic had to make an absolute beauty of a save on Leonardo Pavoletti in the 17th minute, denying his header opportunity.

Inter bottled enough momentum to open the scoring in the 29th minute. Antonio Candreva sent in a dangerous cross that Ivan Perisic connected with and sent towards Icardi. The Argentine only had to tap it into the yawning cage for the 1-0 lead.

Good progressive play came from Matias Vecino and Davide Santon as the first half came to an end. Vecino tried linking up with Icardi while Santon took a strike at goal that went just wide.

Speaking of Vecino, he’d get shaken up around the 50th minute. Brozovic would come on moments later and accept a peach of cross that he hit first time and into the net, giving the Nerazzurri a crucial 2-0 lead.

Inter’s defense would cave in. Cagliari sent in an amazing cross towards Pavoletti in the 71st minute. The defenders could only stand and stare as Pavoletti tucked it home to cut the lead in half.

Roberto Gagliardini would join Miranda in the list of players that won’t be available for the next match. The 23-year-old got booked in the 81st minute.

Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images

Icardi then capped off the contest after a huge scramble occurred in front of the Cagliari net. The ball popped right out to Icardi who slammed it into the goal for his 15th of the season.

Highlights

Key Stats

Cagliari

• 15 shots, 4 on target
• 401 total passes, 73 percent pass success rate
• 14 tackles
• 12 fouls conceded, 2 yellow cards
• 43 percent possession

Key Player: Leonardo Pavoletti

Inter

• 10 shots, 4 on target
• 539 total passes, 81 percent pass success rate
• 9 tackles
• 15 fouls conceded, 2 yellow cards
• 57 percent possession

Key Player: Mauro Icardi