Milan, Oct 29: Despite mounting injury problems, Napoli moved clear at the top of Serie A with a 1-0 win at Lecce.
Kevin De Bruyne was the latest player sidelined and the talismanic midfielder will most likely not return until February after a serious thigh injury in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Inter Milan.
Frank Anguissa scored the only goal of the match at Lecce on Tuesday after Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had saved a penalty from teenager Francesco Camarda.
Defending champion Napoli moved three points clear of Roma, which hosts Parma on Wednesday.
AC Milan moved level on points with Roma after a 1-1 draw at Atalanta. Milan hosts Roma on Sunday.
Lecce was two points above the relegation zone.
Napoli struggled to break Lecce down and the home side had a great opportunity to take the lead when it was awarded a penalty early in the second half following a lengthy video review as Juan Jesus was adjudged to have touched Kialonda Gaspar’s header with his hand.
Milinkovic-Savic is known as somewhat of a penalty specialist and he lived up to his reputation by denying Camarda. The Serbian has saved five of the last nine spotkicks he has faced.
The 17-year-old Camarda, who is on loan from Milan, looked distraught and was seen in tears on the bench after being substituted in the 70th minute.
That was moments after Napoli had taken the lead as Anguissa met David Neres’ pinpoint free kick with a glancing header into the top far corner.
Lookman returns
Ademola Lookman scored his first goal of the season as he looks to put his summer transfer saga firmly behind him.
Lookman was left out of the squad at the start of the campaign after trying to force a move away from Atalanta in the transfer window. The Nigeria forward only returned to the starting lineup this month.
He netted a delightful equalizer in the 35th minute, controlling Mario Pasalic’s through-ball as he turned before lashing it into the roof of the net. The whole stadium loudly chanted his name.
Milan had got off to the perfect start with Samuele Ricci’s deflected shot giving the Rossoneri the lead in the fourth minute after Atalanta failed to clear a corner properly.
Atalanta remained the only unbeaten team in Serie A but has drawn seven of its nine league matches. (AP)
