David Neres stroked home the only goal of a feisty game in the 36th minute at the Stadio Olimpico, ending a blistering counter-attack with a calm finish which put Napoli on 28 points.
Napoli are behind Milan on goal difference and just one point ahead of both Roma and Inter Milan in a tight Scudetto battle, in which Antonio Conte’s team will host Juventus in a week’s time.
“To come to Rome and play with authority and personality like we did wasn’t easy because Roma came into the game on the back on some positive results,” said Conte. “We’ve sent a message to ourselves, that if we want it we can have it.”
Bologna will move level with Roma and Inter if they beat Cremonese on Monday night and Vincenzo Italiano’s team could have their say in the destination of the title which they last won in 1964.
Roma have been waiting 24 years to be crowned kings of Italy and Sunday’s defeat was already their third against a direct rival this season after also being beaten by the two Milan clubs.
Napoli have bounced back from a meltdown before the last international break and put in a classic away performance, denying Roma any real chances and pouncing at the first opportunity.
Conte had to do without Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Anguissa and Billy Gilmour – as well as long-term absentee Romelu Lukaku – but has found an effective attacking recipe with Neres and Noa Lang, who buzzed around centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund.
It was Hojlund who burst forward and perfectly slipped in Neres for his third goal of the season, while robust defending kept Roma away from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic’s goal.
Roma offered little in reply, failing to break through Napoli’s backline until the 90th minute, when Milinkovic-Savic did enough to keep out Tommaso Baldanzi’s low drive from the edge of the area.
“What is disappointing is that we weren’t able to perform with the right rhythm, and I think we paid a bit for playing on Thursday,” said Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
“We weren’t quick enough and when you take too many touches, the ball moves slower and it becomes more difficult.” (AFP)
