FOOTBALL
Serie A: Inter stop Napoli’s unbeaten run
Inter Milan have handed Napoli their first defeat of the season as the reigning Serie A champions came from behind to seal a 3-2 victory at home.
The San Siro crowd enjoyed a scintillating performance from the Nerazzurri and saw their team narrowing the gap to the top to only four points.
Napoli had the chance to steer ahead of second-placed AC Milan following their 4-3 defeat to Fiorentina, but the Neapolitans failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
Both Napoli and Milan have 32 points in 13 matches, but Luciano Spalletti’s side sit atop the table because of their superior goal difference.
Spalletti returned to his old stamping ground with an unbeaten streak of 12 matches in Serie A.
But, they were forced to sit back at the beginning as Inter Milan took the match to the visitors right from the kick-off.
Napoli strike first
But, against the run of play, it was Napoli who drew first blood.
Piotr Zielinksi scored a peach of a goal to break the deadlock in the 17th minute.
Simone Inzaghi’s men did not let that demoralize them, however, as they kept on piling the pressure on Napoli.
And they were duly rewarded eight minutes later when the ever-reliable Kalidou Koulibaly conceded a rare penalty as he touched the ball inside the penalty area with his hand.
Hakan Calhanoglu did not let the chance slip as he calmly converted from the penalty spot and made the score level.
Even though the equalizer came through a penalty, it was far from a lucky break for Inter.
They were dominant from the start and rightfully earned a route back into the game.
Perisic gets into the act
Right on the brink of halftime, Ivan Perisic’s header crossed the Napoli goal-line to make the score 2-1 in favour of the hosts.
After the first half whistle, Inter had 13 attempts on goal, which clearly reflects their authority on the match.
Napoli suffered a huge blow shortly after the match resumed when their top scorer Victor Osimhen had to leave the pitch injured following a head collision with Milan Skriniar.
David Ospina also sustained a head injury when he met head-on with Edin Dzeko.
Thankfully, both players were able to continue the match with head bandages.
Lautaro gets the third
Lautaro Martinez provided the finishing touch to Joaquin Correa’s lung-busting run to give Inter Milan a two goal cushion.
At that point, the fate of the match seemed decided.
But, Dries Mertens brought Napoli back into the game as he pulled one back in the 79th minute.
The Belgian beat Samir Handanovic with a 25-yard curling effort to set up a nervy finale to the match.
Mario Rui came close to making it 3-3 in stoppage time, but Inter survived the late scare and kept hold of all three points.