David Okereke scores fifth Serie A goal in Cremonese home loss to Inter Milan 

By Wale Mustapha

It was a night meant to celebrate for Nigerian striker, David Okereke who scored one of the best goals in the current Serie A season but it was not meant to be as it was not enough to save his Cremonese side from home 2-1 home defeat to Inter Milan.

Okereke who led the attack for Cremonese in the absence of his Nigerian compatriot, Cyril Dessers did not waste much time to repay Coach Ballardini for the trust as he gave his side the lead inside 11 minutes into the game.

The Super Eagles’ forward cut inside Hakan Çalhanoğlu and curled a simply outstanding strike in off the woodwork to register his fifth goal of the season.

Inter equalized ten minutes later when Lautaro Martinez slid to turn in a rebound effort after Cremonese keeper failed to gather Edin Dzeko’s low drive from edge of the box.

The hosts went close to restore the lead before half time but Andre Onana reacted on time to keep out  Marco Benassi’s instinctive flick.

The early parts of second half was more of an end to end engagement as both sides went close to find back of net but lacked the initiatives.

Coach Ballardini showed more desire to win t game by introducing Cyriel Dessers and Felix Afena-Gyan on the hour mark, but it was Inter who would have their nose in front with Martinez combining well with Dzeko again to score the winner for the Nerazurris.

Afena Gyan and Dessers went close to save the day for their coach to get a late equalizer but Onana was at his best to put out a curler from the Nigeria striker.

The defeat however, make Cremonese became the first Serie A team since Ancona in 2003/04 to fail to win any of their first 20 matches in a campaign.

The result has also pushed Inter to second as are enjoying a blistering second half of the season.