Dries Merten's double lifts Napoli over Roma 2-1

BY DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press LINKEDIN GOOGLE+ PINTEREST REDDIT PRINT ORDER REPRINT OF THIS STORY MILAN 

Napoli got back on track by beating nearest rival Roma 2-1, leaving Serie A leader Juventus with the biggest smile on Saturday. Napoli remained third but closed the gap to second-placed Roma to two points. Juventus can stretch its advantage to 10 points with a win at struggling Udinese on Sunday. 

"We must be realistic, the title race was very difficult before, now it's almost impossible," Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said. "It will depend what Juventus do, but it's very hard. "When you lose these head-to-head games, your spirit also sinks." 

Napoli was all but out of the Champions League and Italian Cup after 3-1 defeats to Real Madrid and Juventus in the first legs. Alongside a home loss to Atalanta last weekend, Napoli's season threatened to implode. The match with Roma was billed not only as a fight for an automatic Champions League spot, but also a fight between two contenders for league top-scorer: Dries Mertens and Edin Dzeko. 

Mertens came out on top with two goals. He broke the deadlock in the first half, springing the offside trap to run onto a delightful through ball from Marek Hamsik and dink it over Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Mertens celebrated in unusual fashion, by getting down on all fours, cocking his leg, and pretending to urinate on the corner flag. A second score before halftime was ruled out for his push on Federico Fazio. 

His second came five minutes after the break, when he rushed in at the back post to tap in Lorenzo Inisgne's cross. His 18th league goal moved him within one of Dzeko, Torino's Andrea Belotti, and Juventus forward — and former Napoli star — Gonzalo Higuain. 

It was almost worse for Roma as Daniele de Rossi was lucky not to receive a second yellow card 20 minutes from time when he kicked Pepe Reina in the back of the leg from the ground following a collision with the Napoli goalkeeper. 

It was not spotted by officials but Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri was sent to the stands for dissent. Mohamed Salah hit the left post and Roma finally scored in the 89th as Diego Perotti burst down the left and pulled back for Kevin Strootman to drive into the bottom right corner. 

In five minutes of stoppage time, Roma was denied an equalizer by Reina's incredible save of Perotti's deflected loop, which he somehow finger-tipped onto the crossbar. 

AC MILAN 3, CHIEVO VERONA 1 Carlos Bacca scored two goals and missed a penalty as AC Milan moved back into the European qualifying positions. Milan moved level on points with fifth-placed Lazio, which visits Bologna on Sunday. Inter Milan can go back above its city rival with a win at Cagliari. Chievo started the brighter but Milan took the lead against the run of play when Bacca ran on to Gerard Deulofeu's through ball, cut inside, and his effort was deflected in off Stefano Sorrentino's foot. Chievo leveled four minutes later through a contentious penalty. Mattia De Sciglio was adjudged to have pulled down Serge Gakpe. Milan was awarded a penalty of its own in first-half stoppage time for a Bostjan Cesar handball but Bacca blazed his spot kick over the bar. Bacca doubled his tally in the second half, and Gianluca Lapadula knocked in another penalty eight minutes from time. 

SAMPDORIA 3 PESCARA 1 Zdenek Zeman's 1,000th match as coach was bittersweet as his Pescara team lost. It was honors even at the break after Alberto Cerri cancelled out Bruno Fernandes's opener for Sampdoria. But Fabio Quagliarella restored Samp's lead just before the hour mark and substitute Patrik Schick scored six minutes after being sent in Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/sports/world-soccer/article136437613.html#storylink=cpy

Chievo Verona ambush Napoli 1-0

Chievo shock Napoli

By Football Italia staff

Napoli are in crisis after suffering a shock 1-0 home defeat toChievo with Gonzalo Higuain’s penalty saved.

The Flying Donkeys have a good record here, drawing 1-1 last season and winning 3-1 in 2011. Season ticket sales have plummeted at the San Paolo and some fans protested at the transfer strategy, but Jonathan De Guzman’s last-gasp strike had given Napoli a Week 1 victory at Genoa. Faouzi Ghoulam was still out with a fractured arm and the visitors missed Ezequiel Schelotto.

The hosts gave a debut to their new Denim kit and Jose Callejon’s early effort was bravely charged down in the box by Bostjan Cesar, while Francesco Bardi flew to palm away a Gonzalo Higuain header and parried from Marek Hamsik.

Cesar tripped Higuain as he tried to burst into the box for an inevitable penalty. Pipita got back up to take the spot-kick himself, but it was brilliantly saved by Inter-owned Bardi. That was the 15^th penalty Napoli have failed to convert in the last five Serie A seasons.

Chievo almost added to Napoli’s misery moments later, as Maxi Lopez sprung the offside trap to hit the crossbar.

Bardi got down well again to beat away a smart Lorenzo Insigne volley with the outside of the boot. Insigne had another attempt charged down by Nicolas Frey.  Goalkeeper Bardi was acrobatic to beat a Juan Camilo Zuniga blockbuster out from under the bar and it proved decisive, as moments later Chievo scored.

Lazarevic won back the ball and sent through Maxi Lopez for a precise angled drive to silence the Stadio San Paolo with his first goal since February.

The crowd jeered loudly 60 seconds later when Insigne ballooned over from a promising position, then Bardi was at full stretch to deny Hamsik and Gokhan Inler. Ruben Botta even threatened to double Chievo’s lead, firing just wide.  Inter-owned Italy Under-21 international goalkeeper Bardi confirmed his Man of the Match status with a stoppage-time save on Duvan Zapata’s header.

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Napoli: Rafael; Maggio, Albiol, Koulibaly, Zuniga; Inler, Jorginho (De Guzman 72); Insigne (Mertens 58), Hamsik, Callejon (Duvan Zapata 78); Higuain

Chievo: Bardi; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar, Biraghi; Izco (Gamberini 81), Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Birsa (Botta 69), Lazarevic (Cofie 72); Maxi Lopez

Ref: Giacomelli

Saved penalty: Higuain 27 (N)

Gonzalo Higuain lifts Napoli over Torino in a controversial goal 1-0

Goal.com 

Immobile missed an open goal
after his shot went over the bar

Gonzalo Higuain scored a dramatic late winner as Napoli drew level on points with Roma in Serie A's battle for second place with a 1-0 victory at Torino on Monday evening.

In truth, a draw would have been a solid result for the Partenopei, with the hosts having twice struck the woodwork through Cesare Bovo and Riccardo Meggiorini and then seen a gilt-edged opportunity go begging when Ciro Immobile fired over while totally unmarked in the area.

However, they stole all three points right at the death when Higuain finished with aplomb after being released by Marek Hamsik.

Giampiero Ventura sprung a couple of surprises with his team selection, as the Torino boss opted to leave star men Alessio Cerci and Immobile on the bench, preferring instead to start with Meggiorini and Paulo Vitor Barreto up front.

Rafael Benitez, meanwhile, elected to recall Dries Mertens at the expense of Lorenzo Insigne, while Federico Fernandez, Gokhan Inler and Jorginho also returned after being left on the bench for the 1-0 Europa League loss to Porto.

Despite the changes, Napoli started sluggishly and it was Torino who had the first chance of the game 19 minutes in, Meggiorini doing well to control an Omar El Kaddouri pass with this head before unleashing a right-footed volley that drew a smart stop from Pepe Reina.

The Partenopei had an even luckier escape just before the half-hour when Bovo struck the woodwork with a thumping 30-metre drive.Napoli responded with a couple of long-range strikes from Hamsik and Inler, but there was no disguising the fact that the visitors had struggled dismally to impose themselves on a first half that finished without them having managed a single shot on target.

Napoli finally showed some signs of life moments later when Higuain tested Daniele Padelli for the first time with a low strike that the goalkeeper got down well to deal with.

However, Torino should have been in front in the 53rd minute but they were again denied by the woodwork, with Meggiorini striking the base of the left post after being slipped in on goal by Barreto.  Reina then pulled off a spectacular save from Matteo Darmian's shot from the edge of the area as Torino ramped up the pressure on the Partenopei.

Higuain was presented with a decent chance to open the scoring when Mertens was felled right on the edge of the area but the Argentine lost his footing just as he was taking the resulting free kick, and the ball flew wide. By this stage, Torino had sent on top scorer Immobile and he should have broken the deadlock with just 17 minutes remaining but he fired horribly over the bar after being teed up by Jasmin Kurtic, who had stripped Valon Behrami of possession.

Benitez threw on Insigne for the closing stages and his introduction undoubtedly lifted Napoli, with Mertens going close with just over a minute of normal time remaining. The Belgian was denied by a brilliant save from Padelli but there was to no stopping Higuain, who produced a fine finish to win the game after latching onto a Hamsik pass.

Genoa escapes Napoli with a late goal 1-1

Emanuele Calaio grabbed a late equaliser

Skysports

Genoa substitute Emanuele Calaio grabbed a late equaliser to deny his former club Napoli their third straight win in Serie A on Monday evening.

The hosts looked to be heading for their 16th victory of the campaign after Gonzalo Higuain had put them ahead in the 18th minute. Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin put in a solid performance in goal to keep the visitors in the game, however, and then Calaio snatched a point for his team with a superb free-kick six minutes from time.

The outcome saw third-placed Napoli remain six points clear of fourth-spotted Fiorentina, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Parma earlier on Monday, and extended 11th-placed Genoa's unbeaten run to three games. Napoli went into the match on the back of Thursday's goalless result at Swansea in their Europa League last-32 first leg.

The hosts were first to threaten in the eighth minute when Dries Mertens played a one-two with Higuain before turning in the area and firing a right-footed shot that was kept out by Perin. Higuain put Napoli ahead shortly after when he was put through on goal by an intelligent assist from Marek Hamsik, the Argentina striker beating Perin with a left-footed shot towards the far post.

Genoa almost equalised two minutes later, but Sebastian De Maio's header from Francesco Matuzalem's cross flew just over the bar. Moussa Konate was also close to notching a leveller midway through the first half, but his goal-bound effort was cleared by Napoli defender Federico Fernandez with goalkeeper Jose Reina off his line. Konate then tested Reina's reflexes with a powerful header which the on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper had to palm over the bar.

Napoli almost doubled their lead before half-time when Mertens got past his marker and fired a low shot towards the far post, only for Perin to make the save.

Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini made a surprising substitution after the interval, with Ioannis Fetfatzidis replacing the team's top scorer Alberto Gilardino. On the hour mark, Jose Maria Callejon's close-range effort was blocked by a Genoa defender as Napoli struggled to kill the game off.

Napoli played down the clock in the latter stages of the game and were made to pay as Genoa pulled level, Calaio's free-kick stunning Reina and finding the top-right corner.

Higuain stars in a come from behind Napoli win over AC Milan

From: BBC Sport

Adel Taarabt scored on his AC Milan debut but ended up on the losing side as Napoli came from behind to win. Taarabt, on loan from QPR, ran from inside his own half before curling a low shot into the net from 20 yards on seven minutes.

The hosts levelled four minutes later when Gokhan Inler fired a deflected 25-yard strike into the top corner. Gonzalo Higuain headed in after the break before sealing the win from six yards late on.

AC Milan, who were unbeaten in the league under new boss Clarence Seedorf, gave debuts to Morocco midfielder Taarabt and former Chelsea defender Michael Essien. Seedorf replaced Massimiliano Allegri last month after a poor start to their Serie A campaign.

But for much of the game it was Napoli, third in Serie A, who dominated as they look to secure a top-three finish and Champions League qualification for next season.

It was the perfect start for Taarabt though, who scored only his second goal of the season when he drove through Milan's midfield before curling a precise low finish into the net.

His previous goal this campaign came in a 2-2 League Cup draw at Burton while on loan at Fulham. The Rossoneri were not ahead for long as Inler's shot deflected off Nigel de Jong's shin and into the top corner.

Higuain then had a goal ruled out for offside before Christian Maggio hit the post as AC Milan held on until half-time.

Argentina striker Higuain gave the hosts the lead as he glanced home Inler's left-wing cross and the points were sealed late on as he converted Jose Callejon's low cross.

It proved a frustrating night for Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who appeared to be in tears on the substitutes bench after being withdrawn.

Napoli will face Premier League Swansea in the last 32 of the Europa League on 20 February, while Milan entertain Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League on 19 February.

Miralem Pjanic lifts Roma over Napoli 2-0

Paolo Cannavaro (blue shirt)  pleading his case off a foul 
on Marco Borrielo (maroon) in the Roma-Napoli encounter

Miralem Pjanic become the hero as Roma came out victorious in the Round 8 of the Serie A. 

Pjanic's goal came in the 45th minute after being awarded a free kick by a Paolo Cannavaro foul on Gervinho. Pjanic scoop a looping shot that not even Pepe Reina's top hand diving save could prevented it. 

Miralem Pjanic

Before that, Napoli was poised to take the lead particularly in the 34th minute when Goran Pandev's shot bounced off from Morgan de Sanctis arm in a diving save and the ball slowly headed to the net.  But the timely clearance of Daniele de Rossi turned Napoli's gold into stone.  In the 45th minute mark also, Lorenzo Insigne's shot missed few inches from the net. 

In the second half, Napoli became the aggressive team.  It made several goal potential attempts.  In the 49th minute, Gokhan Inler shot grazed the net while in the 61st minute, Marek Hamsik's shot hit the near post in the left side.  

Napoli's chase for a win became more difficult when in the 79th minute Paolo Cannavaro was given his second yellow and automatic red off a foul on Marco Borrielo in Roma's penalty box.  Cannavaro was sent off and Roma is given a penalty shot which was converted again by Miralem Pjanic. Napoli tried to come back but to no avail even if Goran Pandev was already subbed by former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.  AS Roma secured the 2-0 lead and went on to win the game.  

Champions League: Arsenal steamrolled Napoli 2-0

Olivier Giroud 

Arsenal scored its second win in the current Champion's League season as they coasted to a 2-0 win over Napoli.  Napoli, the Italian side is also an opening day winner when it ambushed last year's runner up Borussia Dortmund.  

Right after kick off, Arsenal's football machine went to work. Displaying their trademark fluid attacking, Arsenal made several opportunities and at the same time, dominate possession. 

Real Madrid recruit Mesut Ozil open up the scoring table when his right footed one touch shot.  Bacary Sagna pass the ball to Oliver Giroud who shielded it when he finds an overlapping Aaron Ramsey.  Ramsey then deep in the right flank field of Napoli fired a cross to an open Mesut Ozil on the opposite side to deliver his elegant shot. 

Seven minutes later, Napoli defender Miguel Britos made an erroneous pass to Mathieu Flamini.  Flamini then pass the ball to Olivier Giroud who taps it to Mesut Ozil on his left. Mesut Ozil then drives on the right flank and drops it to Olivier Giroud at the center who shot at close range. 

Napoli sorely missed the services of former Real Madrid star, Gonzalo Higuain who sat out the entire game.  The scoring chores was assigned to Goran Pandev who found a hard time finding the goal.  He was later subbed by Dries Mertens in the late second half.  

Napoli outlasts Chievo as Marec Hamsik scores a double 4-2

Gonzalo Higuain scores for his new team. '

Hamsik                                                         13’	Paloschi                                                         24’
Callejon                                                        28’	Paloschi                                                         40'
Higuain                                                         52’
Hamsik                                                         64’

Hamsik                                                         13’

Paloschi                                                         24’

Callejon                                                        28’

Paloschi                                                         40'

Higuain                                                         52’

Hamsik                                                         64’

Napoli came out victorious after an explosive game with Chievo Verona.  Marec Hamsik scored a double which put the game away the 64th minute.  The scoring opened in the 13th minute as Lorenzo Insigne found Hamsik open to his right.  Hamsik fired a long shot that hit the back of the net after Christian Puggoni diving save failed to reach the ball.  Chievo however answered the scoring in the 24th minute as Alberto Paloschi scored past goalkeeper Pepe Reina from a cross by Perparim Hatemaj. 

Four minutes later, former Real Madrid forward Jose Callejon scores after receiving a cross from Real Madrid teammate Gonzalo Higuain to momentarily restore Napoli's lead.  In the 40th minute however, Alberto Paloschi scored his second goal with a brilliant display of persistence. Ivan Radovanovich received the ball after a corner kick and passed the ball to the middle.  Gennaro Sardo's header bounced high up in the air but he beat the Napoli defenders with his backflip which found Alberto Paloschi.  Paloschi went around Valon Bahrami's defense and scored a close range shot past Pepe Reina to end the half with a 2-2 score. 

The same explosive game ushered the second half but Napoli showed a better play.  Gokhan Inler almost padded Napoli's lead with his on target attempt only to be deflected by Paul Papp at 52nd mark.  Napoli however cannot be denied later. The play began with Higuain passing the ball to Callejon on the left. Callejon finds Gokhan Inler inside the box who then fired a cross to Hamsik.  Perparim Hatemaj temporarily derailed Napoli's goal with a sliding defensive tackle that almost become an own goal which was deflected by Christian Puggioni. Hamsik however was gifted with the lucky bounce as he trashed the net and put Napoli ahead once again.  

 Napoli is poised to add another goal with a Juan Zuñiga's strike which missed the goal by inches in the 68th minute. Two minutes later Napoli's persistence and superior creativity paid off as former Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain scored the fourth goal for Napoli after an exchange with Lorenzo Insigne.  Chievo made its last ditch effort to finish better with Boado Acousty's close range attempt at 88th minute but which was saved by Reina.