Inter Milan punishes Udinese to remain atop Serie A

Mauro Icardi scored a brace in his return to the starting XI as Serie A leader Inter Milan capitalised on Udinese's mistakes to lay down a 4-0 beating on Saturday.

Icardi struck first in the 23rd minute. The 22-year-old Argentine jumped on a casual backwards pass before slotting a shot into the far corner.

Teammate Stevan Jovetic added to the lead when Udinese defender Maurizio Domizzi flubbed another pass in the 31st minute.

Feasting on yet another defensive miscue towards the end, Icardi put the match beyond reach with a strong shot from a tight angle.

Marcelo Brozovic curled home Inter's fourth goal to put a stamp on his side's biggest win of the season.

It is yet another clean sheet for Samir Handanovic, who is leading his European counterparts in that category.

Inter remains in first place with 36 points, and could be crowned honorary winter champions if Napoli and Fiorentina fail to win their matches on Sunday.