Serie A: Lautaro's Hattrick Fires Inter Milan Past Lowly Salernitana Into Top Spot

Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez silenced critics with a hat-trick to fire Inter Milan into the top of Serie A on Friday with a 5-0 win over bottom-side Salernitana.

The result edges Inter a point clear of Napoli and AC Milan in a tight three-way title race with all three sides having played 27 matches.

Inter were on a five-game winless run so Friday's romp is a boost ahead of their midweek return-leg Champions League last-16 clash with Liverpool, who lead 2-0 from their win in Milan last month.

Argentine striker Martinez punched the ground in frustration after smacking a volley off the crossbar in the 20th minute.

But two minutes later he was punching the air in triumph after beating the off-side trap and slotting the opener into the far corner.

He was on target twice more with thumping strikes just before the break and ten minutes into the second half.

He did, however, leave the pitch on 90 minutes holding his left thigh gingerly.

Edin Dzeko added a brace from two poached chances inside the six-yard box on 64th and 69th minutes to wrap things up.

Napoli and AC Milan face off on Sunday night as another instalment of an enthralling title race unfold in Naples.

Chasing a first league crown since the days of Diego Maradona, a sold-out stadium that bears their hero's name will host two teams locked on 57 points, with Napoli ahead of Milan on goal difference.