Mauro Icardi scored a famous hat-trick as Inter Milan recorded a 3-2 win over AC Milan in Sunday night's pulsating Milan derby at San Siro.
Suso cancelled out Icardi's first-half strike to leave the two teams level in the second period, before Inter's captain scored his second of the night in the 63rd minute to send the home side back ahead.
Milan netted their second in the 81st minute through Giacomo Bonaventura, but there was to be a late sting in the tail as Icardi completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.
The result has seen Inter move to within two points of Serie A leaders Napoli, while Milan remain down in ninth position after suffering their fourth league defeat of the 2017-18 campaign.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Serie A coverage continues from Milan as Inter Milan welcome AC Milan for the Milan derby. Inter will enter the match seven points and seven places above ninth-placed Milan in the table, and another win for Luciano Spalletti's team would pile more misery on their rivals. Stay tuned for all of the action from the San Siro. It should be an absolute cracker!
Both league matches between the two teams last season finished 2-2, and there have actually been four draws in their last five league meetings. Milan recorded a 3-0 win over Inter in January 2016, but Inter have not beaten Milan in the league since September 2015. The signs point to a draw tonight, but there is no question that Inter will enter this match in the better form.
Right, with time very much of the essence, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Milan. Both of these sides have had a lot of players away on international duty - has that impacted on the team selection? Let's run through the two XIs for tonight's match...
TEAMS!
INTER: Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, Skriniar, Miranda, Nagatomo; Gagliardini, Valero; Candreva, Vecino, Perisic; Icardi
AC MILAN: Donnarumma; Musacchio, Bonucci, Romangnoli; Borini, Kessie, Biglia, Bonaventura, Rodriguez; Suso, Silva
Inter head coach Luciano Spalletti has made just the one change to the team that started against Benevento before the international break, and that is enforced as Marcelo Brozovic misses out with a calf problem. Roberto Gagliardini is the player that comes into the XI, which should see Matias Vecino start in a more advanced area. Mauro Icardi will look to add to his six league goals this season.
Milan boss Vincenzo Montella, meanwhile, has made two changes to the team that lost at home to Roma before the international break. Hakan Calhanoglu's suspension opens up a spot for Giacomo Bonaventura in midfield, while Suso is the replacement for Nikola Kalinic, who has a groin injury. It is once again a 3-5-2 formation for Milan, while Inter will line up in a 4-2-3-1 at San Siro.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 10 minutes from kickoff on this pleasant night in Milan. As mentioned, Inter have won six of their seven league games this season, drawing the other, to collect 19 points. They are five points off the league leaders Napoli, and have only conceded three times in the top flight, which is the best defensive record at this stage.
Inter opened their 2017-18 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Fiorentina, before recording a 3-1 win at Roma one week later. They then beat SPAL and Crotone 2-0 in back-to-back matches, before being held at Bologna on September 19. Spalletti's side have won their last two, however, beating Genoa 1-0 on September 24, before winning 2-1 at Benevento before the international break.
Milan, meanwhile, currently sit ninth in the table on 12 points. They have won four and drawn three of their seven league games this season – scoring 10 times and conceding 10. They beat Crotone and Cagliari in their first two league matches, before suffering a 4-1 defeat at Lazio. Vincenzo Montella's side then recorded back-to-back wins over Udinese and SPAL, but have lost their last two – 2-0 at Sampdoria and 2-0 at home to Roma before the international break.
KICKOFF! Milan kick things off at San Siro...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. You just get the feeling that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this game.
The possession is very much with Inter in the early moments as Milan sit deep, keeping their shape. Icardi threatens for Inter as he looks to meet a pass from Vecino, but the offside flag was raised.
Better from Milan as Suso settles on the ball before sliding a pass into Bonaventura, but Miranda is across to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the six-yard box, and Miranda is on hand to clear once again. As expected, it is a fast-paced game in the early moments.
Eight minutes on the clock, and we are still waiting for the first half-chance here. It has been a lively game, however, with both teams committing players in the final third. Candreva has had a couple of chances to deliver into the Milan box, but the quality from the number 87 has been poor.
Deafening noise inside the stadium tonight as those in attendance make their voices heard. It has not been a lively game in terms of challenges, but both teams are moving the ball with pace and purpose in the final third of the field. Still goalless with 10 minutes of the Milan derby played.
D'Ambrosio breaks clear down the right for Inter, but the ball from Candreva is too strong. Milan are straight down the other end moments later, but Inter manage to clear their lines. Miranda does not look too comfortable here as he drops to his knees. That will be one to keep an eye on here.
CROSSBAR! Candreva hits one from outside the Milan box, and his effort smashes against the crossbar! So close for Inter, who caught Milan on the counter-attack there.
BOOKING! Miranda (Inter) is booked for a poor challenge on Silva.
Inter are having plenty of joy down the right at the moment, but Milan are not wasting their time in breaking. It is an end-to-end match at the moment inside this atmospheric stadium.
You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Milan's confidence would be delicate if Inter took the lead, but a goal for the away side would make things very interesting indeed. The match is yet to settle as the ball bounces everywhere.
Suso strikes one from distance, but his effort was always swinging wide of the Inter post.
BOOKING! Romagnoli (Milan) is booked for a late tackle on Candreva.
CLOSE! Miranda heads just wide of the Milan post after the away team had failed to clear a set piece. Inter have had the two best chances to make the breakthrough tonight.
BOOKING! Vecino (Inter) is booked for pulling Bonaventura to the deck.
Tonight's referee has been very card happy, but it is difficult to argue with the yellows that have been issued. Milan have the chance to deliver into the Inter box from some 40 yards, but Inter hold their line, and ultimately clear the danger. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock here.
GOAL! Inter 1-0 Milan (Icardi)
Inter make the breakthrough in the 28th minute as Candreva delivers a stunning cross into the Milan box, and Icardi is on hand to turn the ball into the bottom corner! Super finish there!
Bonucci is talking to his Milan teammates here, calling for calm. Milan cannot afford to concede a second before the break, but Inter are full of ideas in the final third of the field. Brilliant game.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and the atmosphere inside the stadium is just wonderful. Sometimes these matches do not produce, but the red-hot atmosphere has contributed to an excellent first 34 minutes. This is a proper Milan derby, make no mistake about that.
Donnarumma keeps out a long-range effort from Icardi as Inter threaten a second here.
You do get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. It would be very difficult to see Milan recovering if they conceded a second in the latter stages of the first period.
It must be said that the first 41 minutes of this match have flown past. Milan have had their moments tonight, but Inter have been in control since making the breakthrough in the 28th minute.
As it stands, Inter are moving 10 points clear of Milan in the table. Spalletti's side, with a win tonight, would also move to within two points of the league leaders Napoli. A long way to go though!
SAVE! Handanovic gets down to keep out a low strike from Borini! The ball bounces back to Borini, and his header is just wide! Super work from the home side's goalkeeper there.
HALF-TIME: Inter 1-0 Milan
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Inter leading bitter rivals Milan 1-0 courtesy of a super finish from Icardi in the 28th minute. Milan have certainly had their moments in the final third, but the home side deserve their lead at this stage of the contest.
STATISTICS! Milan actually shaded the first-half possession with 51%, while the visitors had seven attempts, but just one of those - Borini's effort - was on target. Inter, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their seven attempts. Three bookings - Miranda (15 min), Romangnoli (22 min) and Vecino (25 min).
BENCH WATCH! Milan boss Montella certainly has players capable of changing things from the bench tonight, with the likes of Cutrone, Locatelli, Montolivo and Paletta all available. Inter, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Eder, Dalbert and Pinamonti.
RESTART! Inter resume the action here...
... MILAN SUB! Cutrone has replaced Kessie at the interval.
No changes from Inter, which is not a surprise. However, I suspect that Spalletti will have alterations in mind as the second period develops. Are there more goals in this one? Let's hope so!
Vecino strikes one from outside the Milan box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. End-to-end football in the second period as both teams commit players in the final third of the field.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Musacchio finishes into the back of the net for Milan after Andre Silva had hit the post, but the offside flag is raised! Massive let-off for the home side there!
SAVE! Handanovic has to tip a long-range Suso strike over the crossbar!
SAVE! Handanovic is down again to keep out Borini's effort!
Inter are just struggling to keep the ball at the moment as Milan continue to force the issue in the final third of the field. The atmosphere inside this wonderful stadium is just sensational.
CLOSE! Cutrone hits the side-netting after meeting a cross from Rodriguez!
Milan are really forcing the issue here, and Inter are no longer confident. You do get the feeling that Milan need to score during this dominant spell, as it will surely not last the whole second period.
GOAL! Inter 1-1 Milan (Suso)
What a wonderful finish! Suso dances to the edge of the Inter box before curling the ball into the bottom corner of the net! It is a wonderful finish from the Spaniard!
Milan are very much on the front foot here as Inter struggle to keep the ball. Suso, who is now operating in a deeper position, is running the game as he picks out Cutrone and Silva.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Inter to regain the lead as Candreva finds Vecino just inside the Milan box, but the midfielder places his effort wide of the post - what a chance!
SAVE! Another super chance for Milan, but Inter's goalkeeper is down to keep out Bonaventura's low effort. What a wonderful game of football at the moment.
GOAL! Inter 2-1 Milan (Icardi)
Oh my word! It is wonderful! Inter regain the lead as Icardi produces a stunning finish from a Perisic cross! It was a volley, but involved the Argentine changing his body shape in the air!
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. It has been such a brilliant game of football here.
BOOKING! Gagliardini (Inter) is booked for a foul on Borini.
End-to-end football in the last few moments as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this one.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, and Milan are the team forcing the issue at the moment. Romangnoli finds himself inside the Inter box, but his effort is over the crossbar.
INTER SUB! Joao Cancelo replaces Candreva in Inter's first change.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining here, and it does appear that Milan are preparing to make a second change. You do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, with both teams committing players in the final third of the field. It has been an excellent game of football.
Cancelo sees his cross blocked behind as Inter threaten on the counter-attack. Who would bet against Icardi completing his hat-trick in the latter stages of this match? It would be some story if he did.
Donnarumma is on hand to keep out Perisic's close-range header.
MILAN SUB! Locatelli replaces Romagnoli for the away side.
BOOKING! Perisic (Inter) is booked for a foul on Silva.
GOAL! Inter 2-2 Milan (Bonaventura)
Milan level the scores in the 81st minute as Bonaventura slides home at the far post after meeting a cross from the right! Handanovic just could not keep the ball out!
Little over five minutes of football remaining here, and you just get the feeling that there is going to be a fifth goal in this match. It really has been a sensational game of football at San Siro.
INTER SUB! Eder replaces Valero for the home side.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Milan are on the front foot. Still more than enough time for one of these two teams to grab a winner here.
CLOSE! Eder has a strike blocked inside the Milan box!
PENALTY INTER!
Inter have been awarded an 89th-minute penalty as Icardi is pulled down by Rodriguez!
GOAL! Inter 3-2 Milan (Icardi, hat-trick)
Icardi finds the corner of the net for his hat-trick. What an incredible moment!
Inter are preparing to make their third change of the match to waste some time here.
INTER SUB! Santon replaces Icardi for the home side.
BOOKING! Eder (Inter) is booked for a foul on Locatelli.
FULL-TIME: Inter 3-2 Milan
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Inter recording a 3-2 win over Milan courtesy of a famous hat-trick from Icardi. What a night! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
