Napoli took another step towards a second Serie A title in three seasons by beating relegation-threatened Lecce.
Romelu Lukaku had an early goal disallowed for the visitors, but Giacomo Raspadori set Antonio Conte’s side on their way to victory with a sweetly struck free-kick midway through the first half.
Lecce defender Kialonda Gaspar’s powerful header struck the woodwork before half-time, and Thorir Johann Helgason had a deflected strike tipped over the crossbar by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret in the second half.
But there was no way back for the home side as Conte’s team consolidated top spot ahead of second-placed Inter Milan, who cut the gap back to three points with victory over Hellas Verona later on Saturday.
Napoli won the Serie A title for the first time in 30 years in 2023 but struggled to replicate their achievements the following season, ending the campaign in 10th.
Credit: bbc.com
