Serie A league leaders Napoli beat Roma 2-1 in a gripping encounter at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Sunday night.
With both AC Milan and Juventus losing earlier in the day, Napoli made the most of it as the result sees them 13 points clear of second placed Inter Milan at the top of the table.
osimhen stunner
The Partenopei started the best of the two sides, establishing themselves with their fluid attacking approach and possession-based play.
Roma barely had the ball in the first quarter and were duly punished in the 17th minute when Victor Osimhen gave the hosts the lead with a sensational volley.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a quick brace with Mario Rui before spiking the ball at the far post; Osimhen first dropped his chest, stayed in the air with his thigh and then launched an unstoppable volley past Rui Patricio into the Roma goal.
It was the Nigerian’s 14th league goal this season.
It took Roma close to 45 minutes to get their first shot on goal when Alex Meret saved Leonardo Spinazzola’s shot towards the Napoli goal.
ose Mourinho’s side dominated the games after the restart when Stephan El Shaarawy’s entry on the left flank caused problems for Napoli.
Napoli were far from their prime, but the hosts should have won 2-0 on 55 minutes if Kvaratskhelia hadn’t squandered a golden opportunity after Hirving Lozano plowed past him.
The Georgian gave a strong first touch and the chance was gone.
Roma took most of the ball and Meret once again kept his team in the lead with a great save from Bryan Cristante’s header in the 62nd minute.
Ten minutes later, however, the Giallorossi were level when El Shaarawy stayed in play and got past Lozano’s far post to conceded Nicola Zalewski’s cross from the right wing.
late winner
When it seemed that the match was headed for a substitute draw, Giovanni Simeone scored the winning goal with a spectacular left footed shot inside the penalty area in the 86th minute.
Roma threw it all away in the final minutes, but Napoli held on for a famous victory and ended their rivals’ 5-game unbeaten run.
Luciano Spalletti’s side have 53 points from 20 games, and it is certainly their title to lose as they search for their first Scudetto in almost three decades.
Photo credit: IMAGO / UK Sports Pics Ltd
