Romelu Lukaku ensured Napoli maintained their one-point lead on the prime of Serie A with the one aim in Sunday’s 1-0 win over his previous membership Roma. Belgium striker Lukaku poked house his fifth Napoli aim from Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s low cross seven minutes after half-time in Naples, handing veteran Claudio Ranieri a defeat on his return to administration together with his boyhood membership Roma. Napoli lead Atalanta, Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio by some extent — with Juventus 4 factors off the tempo in sixth — in a crowded title race which is but to supply up a transparent favorite for the Scudetto.
“We knew earlier than kick-off that this was going to be an enormous match for us as a result of the opposite groups all received,” mentioned Lukaku to Sky Sport.
“It is too early to speak concerning the title. All we will do is look out for a way we develop as a crew, work to enhance and win each match we play. However now shouldn’t be the second to speak concerning the title.”
Napoli have been the higher crew on the Stadio Maradona and will have been forward as early because the second minute when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia by some means despatched a free header extensive from lower than six yards out.
Kvaratskhelia was additionally concerned 4 minutes after half-time with a pinpoint cross from which Lukaku glanced simply extensive.
Roma ‘issues’, Lazio highs
Ranieri has a job on his palms at Roma, who’re 4 factors above the relegation zone in twelfth, however his crew have been unfortunate to not degree within the 66th minute when Artem Dovbyk thwacked a header off the bar.
“We have now issues, that is why they referred to as me, and we performed in opposition to a crew preventing to win the title,” mentioned Ranieri.
“Given all that, I am pleased with the efficiency. We made errors however the want to get the season heading in the right direction is there.”
Roma’s struggles will damage followers all of the extra given the recent type of their native rivals Lazio, who beat 10-man Bologna 3-0 to assert their seventh straight win in all competitions.
Samuel Gigot nodded house his first Lazio aim 67 minutes into his full Serie A debut and 4 minutes later captain Mattia Zaccagni curled house a high-quality end to successfully finish the match as a contest.
Substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru accomplished the scoring in stoppage time for Lazio who sit fifth, some 15 factors forward of Roma as Marco Baroni’s aspect proceed to defy expectations.
Bologna, who misplaced Tommaso Pobega to a pink card within the thirty fifth minute, sit eighth on 18 factors, however have a recreation in hand.
Reborn Kean
Moise Kean continued his revival at Fiorentina by netting in a 2-0 win at Como which was his crew’s seventh in a row in Serie A.
The 24-year-old has been reborn in Florence after failing to attain a single aim at Juventus final season and has scored seven instances in his final 4 matches in Italy’s prime flight.
“Clearly individuals have a look at the aim, however the entire crew has labored very laborious with him… he is creating and beginning to reap the rewards,” mentioned Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino.
Kean’s 68th-minute strike was his ninth in 12 league appearances underneath Palladino, whose crew host champions Inter subsequent weekend.
Fiorentina did not have issues all their very own method, and had David de Gea to thank for an outstanding triple save on the hour mark after they nonetheless solely led by Yacine Adli’s Twentieth-minute opener.
Como are one level and place above Lecce, who’re simply contained in the relegation zone and tackle backside aspect Venezia on Monday, after a fifth defeat in a worrying seven-match winless run.
Patrick Vieira was denied a profitable begin as Genoa supervisor after a late Roberto Piccoli penalty gave fellow Serie A strugglers Cagliari a 2-2 away draw.
Piccoli’s spot-kick leaves Genoa in sixteenth, degree with Cagliari and two factors above Lecce.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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