A hat-trick by Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic inspired Fiorentina to a

stunning 4-1 win at the San Siro that ended Inter Milan’s 100% start to

the campaign and sent La Viola top of Serie A for the first time in 16

years on Sunday. 

Inter, who have not won the scudetto since their treble-winning feat

of 2010, had boosted their early-season hopes by racing to a 10-point

lead over defending champions Juventus after winning their opening five

games.

Juventus were at risk of being left 13 points in arrears but a

stunning first-half performance from Paulo Sousa’s visitors, who had

raced to a 3-0 lead by the interval, served a stern reminder that the

Serie A season is far from over.

Inter had conceded only one goal in their opening five games but by

the 23rd minute goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had picked the ball out of

his net three times.

The bulk of the damage had been done, said Inter coach Roberto Mancini, even before then.

“The penalty at the start changed the whole game for us,” Mancini told Mediaset Premium.

“On Ilicic’s first shot we conceded the second goal and after Miranda’s sending off the game was over.

“From two shots, we were three-nil down. But I have to say well done

to Fiorentina, who played well and had control of the game.”

It is the first time Fiorentina have been top in Italy since February 1999, when AC Milan went on to beat Lazio to the title.

“The biggest satisfaction is seeing how well the lads played,” said

Sousa, who was quick to shoot down suggestions Fiorentina would

challenge for the title.

“Let’s be realistic. There are teams who have a lot more quality and

who have invested a lot in players. We have to keep on fighting with the

team we have.”

Fiorentina were gifted the perfect start when the referee pointed to

the penalty spot after Handanovic impeded Kalinic in the area and Josip

Ilicic stepped up to slam the ball into the roof of the net on four

minutes.

Handanovic admitted he had been at fault on several occasions, but

said: “I accept that part of the defeat was down to me, but it should

not have been a penalty.

“Kalinic fell to the ground as soon as I touched him, then the sending-off changed everything.”

If the early opener shellshocked the Nerazzurri, they were ill-prepared for what was about to follow.

Barely 15 minutes later Handanovic was beaten again, although this

time the Slovenian ‘keeper could justifiably apportion some of the blame

to Inter’s sloppy defence.

Handanovic could only parry a powerful dipping drive from Ilicic and

as he and Brazilian defender Miranda waited for the ball to land,

Kalinic wasted no time in running in to tap the ball home at the near

post.

Four minutes later Kalinic had doubled his tally for the night, the

Croatian sliding in from close range to meet Marcos Alonso’s sweeping

drive from the left flank.

By now, Inter were all at sea and their night went from bad to worse

on the half hour when Miranda was shown a straight red card for tugging

on Kalinic as the striker ran down towards goal.

Coach Roberto Mancini replaced the ineffective Geoffrey Kondogbia at

half-time, the French midfielder making way for defender Andrea

Ranocchia.

But although Inter reduced the arrears on the hour mark, Mauro Icardi

picking up his own rebound from an Alex Telles’ free kick to beat

Ciprian Tatarusanu, it was a rare bright spot in an otherwise

forgettable performance.

Fiorentina looked dangerous on almost every opportunity and Kalinic

secured his hat-trick on 76 minutes when he beat Handanovic down low

after a superb one-two with Ilicic.

Thanks to La Viola’s superior goals difference, they went top ahead

of Inter, who also have 15 points, with Torino two points off the pace

in third.

Lazio sit fifth, one point ahead of Roma, with champions Juventus in

15th place following a 2-1 defeat to Napoli on Saturday as they reel

from their worst start to the season in decades.