McTominay launches dull Napoli past harmless Cagliari

Napoli’s performance was forgettable, but three points against Cagliari on the road are very memorable and can delight the Neapolitans’ fans - 1-0.

Even Scott McTominay’s winner - scored just 75 seconds into the game - wasn’t a goal for ages. On the contrary, it was a mere tap-in after a corner kick, a melee in Cagliari’s box, and a clumsy reaction of their defence. Still, it was everything Antonio Conte’s men needed tonight.

The following hour and a half brought a fierce fight, countless duels, and a lot of running, but too few nice moves and notable attempts.

Nevertheless, the result is the only thing that counts, and it helped Napoli leapfrog AC Milan to second place in Serie A, as the Neapolitans are now six points behind the leaders Inter, though the Nerazzurri have one game in hand.

In a fierce and tough away turf in Sardinia, Napoli had a dream opening, scoring the deadlock-breaker after only 75 seconds!

Following their first corner-kick and a melee in Cagliari's box, Scott McTominay was the resourceful one, putting the ball behind Elia Caprile's back.

In the opening 15 minutes, the visitors made a few more attempts through Matteo Politano and Rasmus Hojlund, while the home team was aggressive and keen to press the rivals' defence. However, as if someone pressed a switch, the game suddenly entered a more peaceful phase.

The Neapolitans mainly threatened through set pieces, while Fabio Pisacane's men hardly got a chance to do something meaningful attack-wise, being 1-0 down at the break.

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After the break, the rivals picked up where they left off. Cagliari put in a decent fight, but constantly failed to make an attempt on target, while Napoli pressed the home team, but without much success.

Napoli and Cagliari found themselves in a stalemate position - the home crew couldn't equalize and the visitors couldn't increase their lead. In that situation, McTominay's goal proved to be decisive, as Conte's men leapfrogged Milan in the second spot in the Serie A, six points behind the table-toppers Inter, who have one game in hand.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 30

Friday

Cagliari - Napoli 0-1 (0-1)

/McTominay 2/

22.45: (2.15) Genoa (3.15) Udinese (3.70)

Saturday

17.00: (2.10) Parma (3.30) Cremonese (3.70)

20.00: (1.40) Milan (5.00) Torino (8.50)

22.45: (1.33) Juventus (5.00) Sassuolo (10.0)

Sunday

14.30: (1.27) Como (5.60) Pisa (12.0)

17.00: (1.40) Atalanta (4.50) Verona (8.50)

17.00: (2.40) Bologna (3.10) Lazio (3.40)

20.00: (1.47) Roma (4.10) Lecce (7.75)

22.45: (5.00) Fiorentina (4.20) Inter (1.65)

***odds are subject to change***