Napoli draws level with Atalanta after narrow win
Giacomo Raspadori came on to score the only goal in Napoli's 1-0 win over struggling Venezia as the Partenopei went level on points with Serie A leader Atalanta.
The opening half brought chances at both ends but ended goalless, with Venezia goalkeeper Filip Stankovic saving a penalty from Romelu Lukaku eight minutes before the break, awarded when Jay Idzes was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa blazed over when presented with a golden chances moments later, but Napoli would get the breakthrough 11 minutes from time.
After penning Venezia back for the majority of the second half and seeing Lukaku hit the post, the hosts struck through substitute Raspadori, who smashed home when the ball dropped kindly for him inside the area.
The win takes Napoli to 41 points, one ahead of defending champion Inter Milan and level with Atalanta, which saw its 11-match winning run halted by a draw at Lazio.
Venezia, meanwhile, remains second from bottom on 13 points.
Napoli's victory may not have been its most emphatic, but it was a landmark one for coach Antonio Conte, who now has 500 Serie A wins to his name as a manager.
The Partenopei now have seven home wins this campaign, already more than they managed throughout the entirety of 2023-2024, when it went through three coaches and only won six times at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, finishing 10th.
