Higuain from hero to zero as Udinese dent Napoli’s hopes
Roma rout Lazio
Napoli’s title hopes are all but over after losing 3-1 at Udinese to leave it six points behind Serie A leader Juventus with only seven rounds remaining.
To add to Napoli’s misery Sunday, top goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain was sent off following two bookings. The Argentina international was visibly agitated and had to be dragged off the pitch by fellow players.
Second spot is also in jeopardy as third-place Roma moved to within four points of Napoli after winning the derby match against Lazio 4-1.
Bruno Fernandes gave Udinese the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute and although Higuain leveled with his 30th goal in 31 matches, Fernandes scored again on the stroke of halftime, then Cyril Thereau sealed the result.
It could have been worse for Napoli as goalkeeper Gabriel saved another Fernandes penalty in the 26th minute. Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri was sent to the stands for his resulting protests.
Fiorentina’s chances of third spot and the final Champions League spot also diminished as it was held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Sampdoria. It is seven points behind Roma and just one above Inter Milan, which hosts Torino later.
Milan, whose players were wearing black armbands following the death of former player and coach Cesare Maldini, got off to the perfect start at Atalanta but went on to lose 2-1, with home player Mauricio Pinilla scoring a stunning overhead kick
Elsewhere, relegation-threatened sides Frosinone and Palermo are further in trouble after losing 4-0 and 3-1 at Genoa and Chievo Verona, respectively.
It was a curious atmosphere in the derby as fans from Roma and Lazio again boycotted the match in protest at the security measures that split the Stadio Olimpico “curve” — the ends of the stadium where the hardcore supporters sit.
Lazio had a number of regular players out through injury, especially at the back and that had a part to play in Roma’s first goal as Stephan El Shaarawy was left unmarked to head Lucas Digne’s cross into the bottom right corner. Miralem Pjanic should have extended Roma’s lead but his shot from distance hit the right post.
Roma did double its lead shortly after the hour when Diego Perotti’s long-range strike crashed off the left upright and substitute Edin Dzeko rushed in to fire the rebound into the bottom right corner with his first touch, four minutes after coming off the bench.