Inter Milan returned to the top of Serie A after a dominant 3-1 win over Bologna at the San Siro on Sunday, extending their impressive league form to six victories in their last seven outings.

The Nerazzurri looked full of confidence from the start, with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram having early efforts thwarted by Federico Ravaglia. The one-way traffic continued as the first half progressed, but Ravaglia stood firm in the visitors’ goal, denying a long-range strike from Hakan Calhanoglu.

Despite Bologna’s brief threat at the other end, Inter remained on the front foot and were rewarded in the 39th minute when Piotr Zielinski latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired a sublime strike beyond Ravaglia.

Martinez went close to doubling Inter’s lead before the break, but the Argentine didn’t have to wait long to get his name on the scoresheet. An inswinging corner from Calhanoglu found Martinez unmarked in the box, and he headed home from six yards to extend the Nerazzurri’s advantage three minutes into the second period.

Armed with a two-goal cushion, Inter spurned several opportunities to put the game beyond Bologna, with Manuel Akanji firing wide and Martinez hitting the bar from only a couple of yards out. Undeterred, a third goal duly arrived in the 74th minute, as Federico Dimarco’s corner was diverted into the net via the shoulder of Thuram.

Bologna netted a late consolation through Santiago Castro’s clinical finish in the box, but it ultimately counted for little, as Inter eased to a huge three points. Bologna are now winless in five league outings.

Inter’s win puts them one point clear of city rivals AC Milan, who had taken provisional control of the Italian summit with a 1-0 win at Cagliari on Friday. Defending champions Napoli sit third, two points shy of Inter.