David Neres’ goal sends Napoli to top of Serie A after win at Roma

Roma lost 1-0 to Napoli in the Serie A top-of-the-table clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Napoli were the dominant side in the first half and registered their first shot in the eighth minute when Rasmus Hojlund unleashed a shot that Mile Svilar saved.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo came close to giving Napoli the lead, pouncing on a loose shot before flashing his effort wide of the post.

Svilar produced another save to deny Noa Lang from putting the visitors ahead, after the forward weaved past Roma’s defence.

Napoli opened the scoring in the 36th minute, with David Neres lifting the ball past the onrushing Svilar.

Roma improved after the restart, but failed to create any clear-cut chances.

The first real chance after the break fell to Napoli, with Lang teeing up Rasmus Hojlund, but he fluffed his lines.

Roma’s lack of creativity and firepower led to the introduction of Paulo Dybala and Neil El Aynaoui, but they still struggled to break down the visitors’ defence.

The hosts’ first sight of the goal in the second half saw Lorenzo Pellegrini fire an effort over the bar from outside the penalty area.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was finally called into action by Roma on the stroke of full-time, superbly parrying Tommaso Baldanzi’s effort away from goal.

Napoli are top of the standings alongside AC Milan, while Roma slip to fourth, one point adrift of the defending champions.