Inter score two late goals to maintain perfect start

Milan Skriniar and Ivan Perisic were on target for Inter, who finished a modest seventh last season, as Luciano Spalletti’s side survived a difficult second half in torrid conditions to make it four wins out of four.

Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic made difficult saves from Aleksandar Tonev either side of halftime as Crotone, the only team still to score this season, threatened a repeat of last April’s shock 2-1 win.

But, after barely threatening in the second half, Skriniar put Inter ahead in the 82nd minute, scoring at the third attempt after he miscued the first then had the second charged down before finally sticking the ball past Alex Cordaz.

Too add insult to injury for winless Crotone, Perisic grabbed a second for the visitors in stoppage time.

Inter moved three points clear at the top of the standings on 12 before Juventus and Napoli, the only other teams to have won their first three games, both play on Sunday.

Crotone, who pulled off one of the greatest escapes in Serie A history to avoid the drop last term, have one point and look to be in for another long, hard season.