Napoli cruised to victory on Sunday beating struggling Sampdoria 0-2. Goals from talisman Victor Oshimhen, his 10th in Serie A this season, and a penalty from North Macedonia midfielder Eljif Elmas wrapped up the victory. Napoli were awarded a penalty in the 5th minute, for a foul on former Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa by Nicola Murru. Matteo Politano stepped up, but his spot kick was turned onto the post by Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero. A beautiful cross from Napoli left back Mario Rui from the left led to the opener for Napoli. As the Nigerian Oshimhen latch onto the ball in front of Audero putting the ball into the roof of the net in the 19th minute. Oshimhen was once again in the action in the 39th minute. The striker was on the end of a horror tackle from Sampdoria midfielder Tomas Rincon. The 34-year-old Venezuelan was shown a red card for the challenge.
In the 79th minute Sampdoria midfielder and Englishmen Ronaldo Viera conceded a penalty after a handball in the box. The penalty, after VAR stoppages, was taken by Elmas in the 82nd minute who calmly converted from the spot unlike teammate Politano. The win sees Napoli take a seven-point lead at the top of the table, with their first win since the international break.
Abraham grabs a unlikely point for Roma
Tammy Abraham scores in the last minute to rescue a point for Roma versus AC Milan at the San Siro in a 2-2 thriller. Milan opened the scoring in the 30th minute, through a header from centre defender Pierre Kalulu. An out swinging cross from Sandro Tonali was headed in by the Frenchmen from close-range. Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. AC Milan then doubled their lead in the 77th minute through Tommaso Pobega who looked like he won all three points for the Rossoneri. Rafael Leao, the talented Portuguese winger, exposed some slack Roma defending to send a lovely ball across the box from the left to substitute Pobega. The Italian took it first time and calmly rolled it past Rui Patricio after a slight deflection from Chris Smalling.
Roma pulled one back in the 87th minute, from an out swinging corner from Lorenzo Pellegrini which centre defender Roger Ibanez powerfully headed into the back of the net leaving AC Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu with no chance. The visitors first attempt on target out of nowhere brought the game back to life and I giallorossi were looking for an equaliser. Which they found deep into added time, in the 93rd minute through former Chelsea man Abraham. A header on goal from Nemanja Matic was clawed away by Tatarusanu on his goal-line but Abraham reacted the quickest to turn the ball in from close range and send the Roma players and staff into mass celebration.
The draw was two-points dropped for AC Milan which sees them in 3rd place. The Victory would have put Stefano Poli’s team in 2nd place and only five points behind Napoli.
Juventus Win whilst Inter drop points
Juventus move up to second place after a 1-0 victory over Udinese at the Allianz Stadium. The Old Lady have shockingly kept eight clean sheets in their last eight Serie A matches. These eight clean sheets have also all been wins for the Turin giants. Juventus dominated against Udinese, but the deadlock was not broken until the 86th minute thanks to a goal from captain Danilo. Federico Chiesa came off the bench to get the assist. Paul Pogba, Dusan Vlahovic and Brazilian defender Bremer all expected to come back from injury in January a huge positive for Juve. Massimo Allegri’s side are seven points behind leaders Napoli who they play on Friday, which is a huge match for both sides.
Inter Milan drop two points away at Monza after fullback Denzel Dumfries scores an own goal in additional time. Inter sit 4th in the table 3 points behind AC Milan and Juventus. Inter Milan broke the deadlock through former Man United Full-back Matteo Darmian. Monza immediately equalised through Patrick Ciurria before Lautaro Martinez put Inter back in the lead in the 22nd minute. In the 3rd minute of added time Monza equalised after they piled men forward and from a cross Luca Caldirola rose highest. His header flicked off the unlucky Dumfries and into the back of the net.
Matchday 17 Results:
- Fiorentina 2-1 Sassuolo
- Juventus 1-0 Udinese
- Monza 2-2 Inter
- Salernitana 1-1 Torino
- Spezia 0-0 Lecce
- Lazio 2-2 Empoli
- Sampdoria 0-2 Napoli
- Milan 2-2 Roma
- Hellas Verona 2-0 Cremonese
- Bologna 1-2 Atalanta
Player of the Match week!!!
Darko Lazovic
The 32-year-old is the player of the match week as the Serbian scored both goals as Hellas Verona beat bottom of the table Cremonese 2-0. The Serbian had not scored all season until the victory. The former Genoa man had four shots in the match and created once chance.