Napoli have made a strong comeback with a 3-0 win over relegation candidates Empoli after a weaker spell and earned the victory. They remain in the title race hot on the heels of champions Inter.
SSC Napoli could not afford to slip up in the Serie A title race. Before the clash with relegation candidates Empoli, who last celebrated a league win in December, the southern Italians were six points behind league leaders Inter Milan. Meret, who was ill in the 1-1 draw in Bologna, returned to goal for Scuffet, while Gilmour and Mazzochhi started in place of the suspended goalscorer Zambo Anguissa and di Lorenzo.
McTominay scores to give Napoli the lead – Politano and David Neres are stopped by Vasquez
The Neapolitans started cautiously, with Empoli holding their own well to begin with and even creating the first chance through Fazzini (6′). The hosts then got into their stride after about fifteen minutes and scored with their first shot on target: McTominay had plenty of space in the center and took a shot from around 20 meters out – 1-0 (18′). Politano’s curler (22′) and David Neres’s header from a Politano cross (27′) then forced Empoli keeper Vasquez into important saves.
After a quieter spell, both teams had further chances shortly before half-time: Gimour’s effort went just over the Empoli goal (39′), while on the other side Esposito tested Meret with a volley (40′). The teams went in at half-time with the score at 1-0.
Lukaku and McTominay decide the game
After the break, McTominay (52′) and Olivera (55′) both missed the chance to make it 2-0 before Lukaku scored the second goal after a fine combination (56′). Shortly afterwards, the Belgian set up McTominay again, as he had done for the first goal, and the Scot headed in the third (61). The pair continued to make their presence felt, Lukaku setting up McTominay again – only the post prevented McTominay from making it a hat-trick (68).
The game was already decided, though: Lukaku finished after being set up by David Neres (77), and McTominay also tried again from a turn, but he was in an offside position (86). In added time, Grassi headed wide to give Empoli a consolation goal (90 +2).
The Tuscan team remains second to last and faces a key game next week against third-to-last Venice (Sunday, 3 p.m.). Naples is already challenged the day before by the last team from Monza (6 p.m.) and could draw level with the reigning champions again with a win – provided Inter lose in Bologna.
