Inter pile on Milan’s misery while Napoli maintain their 13 point lead at the top

Lautaro Martinez strikes helps Inter Milan edge AC Milan in derby clash while Osimhen’s double helped Napoli keep their 13 point lead intact

(Football news) A goal from Lautaro Martinez gave Inter Milan a 1-0 victory over city rivals AC Milan on Sunday. Stefano Pioli’s side suffered their third consecutive loss in Serie A as Inter remained second in the Serie A standings on 43 points but are still 13 points behind runaway leaders Napoli. Milan’s form has been dismal as they lost four games in a row in all competitions and have dropped to 6th with 38 points. Lautaro produced the first chance in the sixth minute but Ciprian Tatarusanu saved his header with his left hand.The Argentine striker gave Inter the lead in the 34th minute when he scored from a corner for his 12th goal this season.

Inter dominated the ball in the first half with 76% possession and prevented Milan from having a single chance. AC Milan got their first shot just before the hour but the header by striker Olivier Giroud went over the crossbar. Inter had the ball inside the net twice but striker Romelu Lukaku was denied a goal for an earlier foul, while Lautaro’s goal was ruled out for offside. Lukaku had a chance to double Inter’s advantage in stoppage time but his shot was saved by Tatarusanu. Milan now host Torino on Friday, while Inter travel to Sampdoria on Feb. 13.

Napoli edge ever closer to their first title in more than 30 years as two goals by striker Victor Osimhen helped Napoli to get a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Spezia on Sunday. Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put Napoli in the lead from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half, after the ball hit defender Arkadiusz Reca’s arm inside the penalty box. Osimhen should have doubled the visitors’ lead in the 61st minute but his effort was ruled out for a foul on Mattia Caldara.

The Nigerian made amends after he netted just seven minutes later with a close-range header following a mistake by Spezia defender Ethan Ampadu. Another error by the Spezia defence gave Osimhen the chance to score again the chance to make it 3-0 in the 73rd minute with his 16th league goal of the season. Napoli maintained their 13 point lead over second-placed Inter Milan as Spezia remained 17th, five points above the relegation zone.

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