Mario Balotelli missed a penalty at the San Siro as Napoli defeated AC Milan 2-1 to maintain their 100% record in Serie A.

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It was the visitors who started the brighter of the two teams, coming close through Valon Behrami and Gonzalo Higuain in the opening stages before the deadlock was broken.

Napoli took a deserved lead in the seventh minute through defender Miguel Britos, who took advantage of slack defending from Milan to head his side in front from close range.

The remainder of the first period was tight, but Napoli dug deep after the interval and extended their advantage through Higuain in the 54th minute.

The Argentine did well to outwit Nigel de Jong before unleashing a 25-yard screamer that left Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati stranded.

Drama ensued on the hour mark when Raul Albiol was penalised for bringing down Balotelli inside the area. The former Manchester City striker stepped up to take the resulting penalty himself, but was denied by Pepe Reina.

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Balotelli had the chance to make amends for his miss in the 71st minute after a neat one-two with Alessandro Matri put him clean through on goal, but his effort came crashing back off the crossbar.

The Italy international did manage to find the net in stoppage time, but his 91st-minute strike proved nothing more than a consolation goal.

To cap off a frustrating evening for Balotelli, he was sent off after the final whistle after picking up a second yellow card for dissent.