Napoli missed an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table as they were beaten 3-2 by Inter Milan. Elsewhere, 18-year-old Felix Afena-Gyan scored twice – late on – to help Jose Mourinho’s Roma beat Andriy Shevchenko’s Genoa.
AC Milan’s defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday night presented a rare opportunity to Napoli. The two had been neck-and-neck since the start of the season, but a win against Inter Milan would’ve taken the Partenopei three points clear on top. Napoli started the game positively, too, and took the lead in the 17th minute through Piotr Zielinski, who smashed a first-time shot past Samir Handanovic from the edge of the box.
However, incumbent champions Inter came roaring back into the match. Hakan Calhanoglu restored parity in the 25th minute from the spot after Kalidou Koulibaly had handled the ball inside the box. A minute before the interval, Inter took the lead. Calhanoglu turned supplier this time around from a corner, and Ivan Perisic scored with his head.
Lautaro Martinez doubled Inter’s lead the other side of the break; the Argentine forward somehow squeezed his shot in from a tight angle and with his body facing away from the goal. Dries Mertens pulled a goal back for Napoli in the 78th minute with a strike from distance, but Inter held onto their narrow lead and sealed the points.
At the Luigi Ferraris, Andriy Shevchenko’s Genoa looked to have successfully contained Jose Mourinho’s – only for teenager Felix Afena -Gyan to come off the bench and score twice late on. The Ghanian scored the first of his two goals in the 82nd minute – a simple tap-in from close range – and ran towards his head coach to celebrate.
The 18-year-old’s second was a sight to behold, however. He picked the loose ball high up the pitch before curling it past veteran Salvatore Sirigu from 25 yards.
Afena-Gyan’s timely display helped Roma keep up with the top four. Mourinho’s side are just on the outside looking in, three points behind fourth-placed Atalanta.
