Napoli return to summit

MILAN: Napoli stamped their authority on the Serie A title race with a come-from-behind 4-1 thumping of Lazio on Saturday to reclaim top spot from champions Juventus.

Juventus’ 2-0 win in Fiorentina had put them top on Friday, but Maurizio Sarri’s side responded in style to maintain their onepoint advantage over the six-time defending champions.

It was a third straight defeat for Lazio whose position in third — 17 points behind Napoli — could be threatened by Inter Milan and Roma who hosted Bologna and bottom side Benevento respectively late yesterday.

“It was a win earned with heart and soul,” said Napoli goalscorer Jose Callejon of his side who are targeting a third Serie A title and first since 1990.

“We are working together to achieve the dream. We’ll give our all to the end. We’ve had this dream in our minds since the first day of pre-season training and must continue like this.”

Earlier, Patrick Cutrone hit a double with Lucas Biglia and Fabio Borini also scoring as AC Milan crushed SPAL 4-0 to boost their European ambitions.

“We mustn’t think that this result will solve our problems,” insisted Milan coach Gattuso.

“We have to keep working to improve. The only thing I ask the lads is not to stop believing in our possibilities.

“The 4-0 result didn’t reflect how much we suffered when only 1-0 up.”

Gattuso’s side move up to seventh, still just outside the Europa League places.

The result also improved Milan’s slim Champions League hopes, with city rivals Inter Milan seven points ahead in the fourth and final qualification spot.

“The Champions League? We have to focus on one game at a time and the next one is a Europa League game next Thursday. We want to move forward in Europe,” said Cutrone.

Atalanta — who take on Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League in midweek before an Italian Cup semi-final against holders Juventus — slipped behind Milan after a 1-1 draw under heavy rain at Crotone.