)
Goals from Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Simeone helped Napoli to a 2-1 win over Roma and established a 13-point lead at the top of the table.
Napoli continue to soar in Serie A following a hard-fought 2-1 win over Roma on Sunday night. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the first half but Napoli were pegged back in the second half thanks to Stephan El Shaarawy’s equaliser.
Just when it looked like points would be shared, substitute Giovanni Simeone struck for the home side to send them 13 points clear at the top of the table.
Relishing the opportunity to increase their gap at the top of the table to 13 points with victory against Roma, Napoli began full of confidence and immediately played on the front foot.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia threatened in the opening minutes, but he was superbly denied by Rui Patricio.
Roma began to grow into the game and they came close to opening the scoring thanks to a mixup in the Azzurri’s backline, as Kim Min-Jae almost headed the ball into his own net after a miscommunication with Alex Meret.
Osimhen Stunner
)
Napoli regained some composure after that scare, and Kvaratskhelia’s cross into the box was superbly controlled by Victor Osimhen, first with his chest, then his knee – before he unleashed an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net.
The Giallorossi responded well after falling behind and came close to equalising right on halftime, but Meret did well to deny Leonardo Spinazzola’s stinging effort from the edge of the box.
Roma came flying out in the second half, putting the home side under immense pressure with Bryan Cristante coming closest with a header from point-blank range, but Meret superbly denied the Italian.
From the resulting corner, Napoli broke through on a counter-attack with blistering pace in a three-on-two situation, but Hirving Lozano chose to go through alone and his solo effort was tipped over the bar by Patricio.
)
Napoli would seemingly be made to pay for that failure to convert with 15 minutes remaining, as Stephan El Sharaawy popped up at the back post to prod home Nicola Zalewski’s searching cross.
There was to be a late twist though, as Giovanni Simeone came off the bench to secure an 86th minute winner, with a superb turn and curling finish into the top corner to spark delirium at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
)
Whilst Napoli's first title in 33 years isn’t theirs just yet, today’s earlier results involving Lazio and AC Milan combine well with this success, suggesting that it may just be a matter of time for Gli Azzurri.
Player of the match - Victor Osimhen
Who else could it be, than the striker who led the line so wonderfully and broke the deadlock with that stunning first-half goal? The Nigeria international, who has now equalled his tally of 14 Serie A strikes in 2021/22, was superb throughout.
)
He chased down every lost cause and did not allow the Roma defence a moment’s peace.
On top of that, his goal was absolutely sublime, showing incredible composure to chest the ball down, use his thigh to keep the ball away from the defence and then thunder home on his third touch.
Related content
)
15:04 - 25.01.2023
SERIE A ‘He's a very good person’ - Insigne hails former teammate Osimhen
Victor Osimhen has received high praise from his ex-teammate and former Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne.
)
18:17 - 23.01.2023
SERIE A 'He can even score 30 goals' - Napoli legend makes bold Osimhen prediction
Napoli Scudetto winner Bruno Giordano credits Victor Osimhen as the 'best player in Serie A'
)
20:39 - 21.01.2023
SUPER EAGLES Osimhen continues hot streak for Napoli with a goal against Salernitana
Victor Osimhen scored his 13th Serie A goal of the season as Napoli beat Salernitana 2-0.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)