Antonio Conte's side has now registered back-to-back draws, with second-placed InterMilan hoping to close the gap to the leader when it faces Fiorentina on Tuesday.

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In an entertaining opening period, visiting midfielder Florian Thauvin fired the game's first effort on target, cutting inside and forcing Alex Meret to beat the ball to safety.

But Napoli responded almost immediately at the other end, with both Scott McTominay and Matteo Politano going close to scoring the encounter's opening goal.

The hosts edged in front in the 37th minute when McTominay rose highest to power Politano's corner beyond Razvan Sava with a thumping header inside the box.

But Napoli’s lead lasted just three minutes, with Pasquale Mazzocchi’s clearance picked up by Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, who rifled the ball into the bottom left corner.

The pulsating fixture quietened down after the interval, with both sides managing to muster just one shot on target through David Neres and Sandi Lovric.

Napoli's second draw in as many games has seen its Scudetto charge stumble, with this fixture potentially one to look back on as an opportunity missed should it fall short of the title.

Conte's side dominated the contest throughout, registering 18 shots, but only four of those attempts were on target.

But a positive from the result was the performance of McTominay, who continues to flourish in Naples after his move from Manchester United.

He has now been involved in eight league goals this season – six goals and two assists – equalling his best tally in a single campaign, which wasseven with United in 2023-2024.