Napoli reclaim top spot with Roma close behind in Serie A game week 8

 ROME – Napoli retained their spot at the top of Serie A, ahead of AS Roma on goal difference, following a tight game week eight.

 Napoli beat Inter Milan in a convincing 3-1 win to move back to the top of the table, following back-to-back defeats.

 Both sides started the game off strongly, however at the half hour mark, Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was fouled inside the box. Kevin de Bruyne stepped up to score from the penalty spot in the 33^rd minute, however left the pitch moments later with an injury.  Although Inter came close to scoring, the first half ended 1-0.

 Soon after half-time, Napoli doubled their lead thanks to a strong strike from Napoli star player Scott McTominay in the 54^th minute. However, Inter continued to fight and won a penalty a few minutes later after Alessandro Buongiorno committed a handball within the box. Hakan Calhanoglu converted the penalty in the 59^th minute to reduce Napoli’s lead to a single goal and give the visitors a fighting chance at a comeback.

 This was to change shortly after, as André-Frank Zambo Anguissa dribbled past Inter defenders to find the back of the net in the 66^th minute, restoring the hosts’ two goal lead. The game ended 3-1, meaning Napoli moved above Inter to reclaim first place in the league.

 Hot on Napoli’s heels is AS Roma, who moved back to second place following a 0-1 win over Sassuolo. The two teams are on equal points, but the Neapolitans have a better goal difference of seven compared to Roma’s five. AS Roma, who like Napoli had also lost their last game in Europe and in Serie A, faced off against Sassuolo in the hopes of moving to top of the table.

 The hosts started off on the stronger foot, with a strong run past Roma defence, however failed to convert. The breakthrough came in the 15^th minute after Bryan Cristante powered a shot at goal which was deflected by the Sassuolo goalkeeper, Arijanet Muric. Luckily for Roma, the deflection landed at Paolo Dybala’s feet as he fired the ball into the net, marking La Joya’s first Roma goal this season. The first half ended 0-1.

 Roma was the dominant team in the second half, just missing several attempts on goal, however neither team was able to find the back of the net in the last 45 minutes. The match ended 0-1 and Roma moved to equal points with Napoli at the top of the table.

 Elsewhere in Serie A, Lazio beat Juventus 2-1 which triggered Juventus manager Igor Tudor’s sacking on Monday as the Turin team has gone eight matches without a win. The other Turin team, Torino, continued their winning form by beating Genoa 2-1. The only other win in the league came with Udinese beating Lecce 3-2. Fiorentina vs. Bologna, AC Milan vs Pisa, and Verona vs. Cagliari all ended 2-2, Cremonese vs. Atalanta finished 1-1 and Parma vs Como ended 0-0.

 The top of the table still remains close, with Napoli and Roma on 18 points, AC Milan on 17, Inter Milan on 15, Bologna on 14 and Como on 13, all of which promises a tightly fought title race this season.

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