Alexis Sanchez scored as many goals in two minutes on Saturday than he has done in the last 17 months of club football.... and celebrated by getting sent off.
Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte declared this week that he had no doubts the Manchester United flop would come good at San Siro after his Old Trafford nightmare.
Sanchez had played only 17 minutes in two appearances before Conte stated this week that he would reinvigorate the ex-Arsenal man and rediscover his seemingly lost brilliance.
"It is up to us to help him find the form and the brilliance he has lost a little,” said Conte.
"Alexis is a footballer who has certain characteristics. He is a tough player, and sooner or later you will see him on the pitch."
The 30-year-old took his first steps towards fulfilling his manager’s prophecy in Inter’s Serie A showdown against Sampdoria.
With Inter sitting top of the table after a 100 per cent start, they headed to Stadio Luigi Ferraris full of confidence.
And after 20 minutes, a remarkable stroke of luck afforded Sanchez his first goal for the Nerazzurri.
When diminutive midfielder Stefano Sensi cut in from the left he set himself 25 yards from goal and let fly.
Goalkeeper Emil Audero looked to have it covered but the Italian’s effort ricocheted off the back of Sanchez, and remarkably diverted into the net.
Two minutes later, suddenly with a pep in his step, Sanchez scampered in to nab his second.
Again it came from Sensi trying his luck from outside the box, the ball this time dribbling across to the only man on the move in the box - Sanchez - who tapped home.
But that was far from the end of Sanchez's day at the heart of the action.
Inter took their lead into the break, but Sanchez was booked just before half-time.
And within a minute of the restart, his the No.7's day was brought to a premature end, as he was shown a second yellow and sent off for diving.
Jakub Jankto then pulled a goal back for the hosts but 10-man Inter regained their two-goal lead when Roberto Gagliardini scored with 30 minutes to play.
And, despite Sampdoria's attempts to fight back, Conte's men held on for an important three points.
