Inter Milan 1-0 Napoli: Romelu Lukaku seals win from the penalty spot after Lorenzo Insigne is sent off for dissent as Antonio Conte’s side close the gap on leaders and rivals AC to just a point
- Romelu Lukaku clinched the win for Inter Milan with a 73rd minute penalty
- David Ospina conceded the spot kick at the San Siro on Wednesday night
- Lukaku duly converted, sending the Napoli goalkeeper the wrong way
- Lorenzo Insigne was sent off for dissent following the penalty award
Romelu Lukaku’s penalty was enough to give Inter Milan a 1-0 win against 10-man Napoli at San Siro on Wednesday and move the hosts within a point of Serie A leaders AC Milan.
Just one point and one place separated the two sides before kick off, and the game was decided when David Ospina conceded a spot kick midway through the second half, which Lukaku converted.
The two captains made an impact in contrasting fashions, as Napoli skipper Lorenzo Insigne was sent off for dissent following the penalty award and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic made some decisive interventions to keep his side in front.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates with Lautaro Martinez after scoring from the penalty spot
The Belgium striker strokes home into the bottom left corner past David Ospina on Wednesday
Yet Napoli pushed hard for an equaliser with 10 men and Andrea Petagna was denied a late leveller when his shot rattled the post in stoppage time.
The victory leaves Inter in second place, one point behind leaders Milan, while Napoli are fourth with 23 points.
Pressure was mounting on Inter coach Antonio Conte after his side’s disappointing early exit from the Champions League, where they finished bottom of their group, but he has now overseen a run of five wins in a row in Serie A.
Ospina gave the penalty away after tripping up Inter wing back Matteo Darmian at San Siro
Lorenzo Insigne reacts after being shown a red card after Inter were awarded the penalty
Napoli lost star striker Dries Mertens during a cagey first half, as the Belgian was worryingly forced off in tears with an ankle injury.
The game exploded into life in the final 20 minutes. Handanovic instinctively blocked a clever Insigne flick before Inter rushed up the other end to win the decisive penalty, as Ospina caught the foot of Inter wing back Matteo Darmian.
Insigne was furious about the decision and saw red for his reaction, but Napoli finished the stronger as Handanovic produced superb saves from Matteo Politano and Giovanni Di Lorenzo before the woodwork came to Inter’s rescue in the dying minutes.
Antonio Conte, who has overseen a run of five straight Serie A wins, celebrates with Lukaku
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