Napoli edge past Atalanta to extend their unbeaten run, Juve beat Inter

(Football news) Napoli extended their league winning streak to nine games as goals from Victor Osimhen and Eljif Elmas were enough to secure a 2-1 comeback victory against second-placed Atalanta on Saturday, with the win Napoli stretched their lead eight points at the top of the Serie A standings. In the first half, Atalanta's new English recruit Ademola Lookman opened the scoring after just 19 minutes when he coolly converted a penalty after a handball by Osimhen.

Then Napoli's 23-year-old Nigerian international made amends just after four minutes when he brilliantly headed the ball into the net off a inch perfect cross from Piotr Zielinski. In the 35th minute Elmas put Napoli in front after he did well to control a pass from Osimhen inside the box, with his shot the ball flew into the net via a slight deflection off Hans Hateboers. Napoli with that result have 35 points after 13 games and are ahead of Atalanta on 27 and AC Milan with 29 after their 2-1 late win over Spezia thanks to a stoppage time header from Oliver Giroud.

Filip Kostic had a brilliant game for Juve as he set up both goals in a 2-0 win at home against Inter on Sunday in a match where both teams had the chances to win. Inter were the better team for the majority of the first half but the game was at a goalless stalemate at halftime. Inter via Lautaro Martinez had the first chance of the game but his half-volley just went wide of the post. Edin Dzeko was close to putting Inter ahead after 26 minutes with a header from Martinez's cross, but his effort went just side of the post.

The visitors continued to put pressure on the home side in the first minutes of the second half but that created space for a Juventus counter-attack. Kostic took advantage of an Inter corner as he raced into the box, where he passed to Adrien Rabiot who quietly coolly guided the ball into the lower right corner in the 52nd minute. Juventus should have doubled their lead after 63 minutes but Danilo's goal was overturned after a VAR decision due to a handball. Kostic then fed the ball to Nicolo Fagioli o six minutes before full-time for their  second goal. Juventus with that result are fifth on 25 points and are now level with Roma in sixth and 10 behind leaders Napoli. Inter on the other hand dropped down to seventh on 24 points.

"It was great to watch this game, especially as we were a little lucky in the first half, but when you have a proactive attitude and work for your teammate, you are more likely to get a positive result," Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri the reports, "The system has given the team more solidity, but the most important thing is that the team works together, defends behind the ball, understands when it's time to suffer and that it lasts 95 minutes. Earlier in the season, we would play about 30 minutes and then drift off, but we are in it all the way now, even during tough moments. That is an important step."

Also read: Napoli face Atalanta in a top of the table clash, Inter take on Juve
 

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