Laboured Napoli take top spot in Serie A

Napoli moved to the top of Serie A on Saturday with a laboured 2-1 win over Genoa, the team’s fourth victory in their last five outings.

Frank Anguissa and Amir Rrahmani scored Napoli’s goals in an eight-minute spell in the first half before Andrea Pinamonti cut the deficit early in the second period.

Genoa were on top for large parts of the remainder of the game with Mario Balotelli squandering a great opportunity to equalise in the 85th minute.

“In another situation we would be crying bitter tears,” said Napoli coach Antonio Conte.

“It’s right that the boys enjoy the three points but at the same time understand that the games must be played from start to finish, always trying to keep the foot on the accelerator. 

“In the second half I didn’t like anything, absolutely.”

Napoli have 38 points, one ahead of Atalanta who can reclaim pole position on Sunday when they hunt an 11th successive win at home to Empoli.

In Saturday’s late game, Lazio defeated 10-man Lecce 2-1 to move into fourth place on 34 points.

The win came six days after Lazio were humbled 6-0 at home by Inter Milan.

Lecce’s French full-back Frederic Guilbert was red-carded on the stroke of half-time for handball on the goalline.

Valentin Castellanos, back from suspension, tucked away the resulting penalty to give Lazio the lead.

Tete Morente levelled the score on the 50-minute mark before Adam Marusic grabbed the winner for Lazio in the dying moments.