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Lazio logo
Serie A
Dec 2, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Napoli logo

2-4

Behrami (26'), Diao Keita (88')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Higuain (24', 72'), Pandev (50'), Callejon (90')

Live Commentary: Lazio 2-4 Napoli - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Serie A match between Lazio and Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico.
2

Lazio hosted Napoli in their Serie A clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

The visitors took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain, but within a minute Lazio were level when Valon Behrami scored an own goal.

Napoli retook the lead after the break through Goran Pandev, before Higuain scored his second of the evening.

Balde Diao Keita gave the home side hope of a draw when he fired home, but Jose Callejon sealed the win for Napoli in injury time.

Read how the action unfolded below.


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Good evening and thank you for joining Sports Mole for live text commentary of the Serie A meeting between Lazio and Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico.

We are just minutes away from our second Serie A contest of the day, having just witnessed a thrilling encounter between Fiorentina and Hellas Verona, which ended with a 4-3 win to the home side.

LAZIO XI: Marchetti, Konko, Ciani, Cana, Radu, Biglia, Candreva, Gonzalez, Hernanes, Lulic, Perea

NAPOLI XI: Reina, Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Armero, Inler, Behrami, Insigne, Pandev, Callejon, Higuain

Today's meeting sees Lazio in ninth, take on title challengers Napoli, who are third in the table.

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Stadio Olimpico.

CHANCE! The home side come close to taking the lead, as Candreva weaves his way through the defence, before placing an effort wide of the goal.

Napoli have shown some neat touches in the early stages, but are yet to work an opening.

The visitors almost take the lead as Marchetti is forced to tip over a long-range effort from Callejon. It looked as though he mis-hit a cross, but it needed to be saved by the keeper.

Insigne receives the ball in space inside the box, but the defence manage to close him down and clear the danger.

Napoli have won a corner after a good run from Insigne, but they opt against playing the ball into the box first time, with the eventual delivery being headed clear.

CHANCE! Perea shows great strength and works his way to the edge of the box, before laying the ball of to Hernanes, who sees his low effort on goal saved by the keeper.

Candreva looks a real threat down the right hand side for Lazio, and he bursts down the flank again before delivering a cross that Reina is relieved to claim.

CHANCE! The home side are starting to show some smart touches in midfield, and when Hernanes flicks the ball on, Konko takes a touch before firing a powerful effort wide.

Napoli striker Higuain has cut a frustrated figure so far, with his teammates unable to find his runs.

GOAL! Lazio 0-1 Napoli (Higuain)

What was I just saying about Higuain! The Argentine has scored a fantastic goal, picking the ball up in the centre of midfield, before driving into the box, and firing a shot across Marchetti that creeps under the keeper.

GOAL! Lazio 1-1 Napoli (Behrami own goal)

The home side were behind for less than a minute! Candreva whips a low ball into the middle, that bounces around in the box, before cannoning off the unfortunate Behrami and into the net.

CHANCE! This game has definitely sprung into life! Napoli find Pandev in space just outside the box, and he fires an effort in on goal, that the keeper does well to keep hold of.

CHANCE! Lazio back off Higuain and allow the him to have a free effort on goal from 25-yards out, but on this occasion the striker scuffs his shot wide.

The game is end to end at the moment, with both sides committing plenty of men forward to each attack.

Hernanes is lucky to avoid a booking for a late challenge on Behrami. He has however given away a free kick, that gives Napoli a chance to get the ball into the middle.

Napoli work it wide to Maggio, but his cross is easily gathered by the keeper.

The visitors have won a free kick deep inside their opponents half near the left hand byline.

It was another poor ball into the middle by Napoli, as Insigne's ball fails to beat the first man.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Napoli have the ball in the back of the net, but it has been ruled out. Callejon weaved his way into the box, before firing in a low shot that the keeper palmed out to Higuain, but the Argentine was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

CHANCE! Big chance for Hernanes! The ball breaks kindly to the Brazilian inside the box, but as he tries to poke the ball past Reina, he ends up slicing it wide.

The away side threaten again as Higuin tries to loft a ball over the top for Pandev, but Konko shows good strength to hold him off and clear.

Napoli nearly catch Lazio on the counter attack, when Higuain breaks at pace and finds Insigne at the back post, however his first touch is poor and his final ball into the box drifts wide of the goal.

CHANCE! Candreva has been brilliant in this first half, and after stealing the ball on the right hand side, he makes his way into the box, before firing a shot across goal, that Reina is relieved to see head past the post.

HALF-TIME: Lazio 1-1 Napoli

It is half time here at the Stadio Olimpico and it is level between Lazio and Napoli. Both goals came in the space of a minute, with Behrami's own goal cancelling out Higuain's fine solo strike.

For fans of Serie A, it has been a wonderful evening of football. Fiorentina claimed a 4-3 win over Hellas Verona in today's earlier match, to move them level on points with Inter Milan in the table.

It's anybody's guess as to who will come out on top in this match. Higuain has shown that he doesn't need many chances to make a difference, but Candreva has arguably been the player of the half, with his constant runs down the wing causing problems for Napoli.

The stats show just how even the half has been, with Lazio slightly shading the possession, and both teams having five attempts on goal.

The players are making their way back out onto the pitch and the second half will be starting shortly.

Napoli kick off and we are back underway!

CHANCE! Hernanes comes within inches of giving the hosts the lead! He does well to hold off a challenge in midfield, before firing in an effort from 20 yards out, that swerves narrowly wide of the post.

CHANCE! Napoli immediately break forward, and the ball comes to Inler who is 30 yards out from goal. He takes a touch, before firing in a left-footed effort that flashes wide.

GOAL! Lazio 1-2 Napoli (Pandev)

Napoli have taken the lead, and it's through a former Lazio player! Higuain delivers a brilliant ball to the back post, which is headed across the box. It lands to Pandev, who swivels on the ball, before drilling a low effort beyond Marchetti.

YELLOW CARD! Ciani is booked for a lunging challenge on Pandev.

Lazio are looking to keep hold of the ball and steady themselves after conceding that goal. They must be frustrated at the way this second half has gone for them so far, as shown by some of the challenges that have been flying in.

Hernanes works himself some room on the edge of the box, but his final strike is poor, as it heads over the bar.

CHANCE! Pandev slips a ball through to Higuain down the right hand side, and from a tight angle, he attempts a low strike on goal that flashes across the box.

SUBSTITUTION: Napoli make a change, with Floccari coming on for Gonzalez.

Candreva is found in acres of space down the right hand side, but his cross into the middle is struck with too much power and sails over the heads of his teammates in the box.

Lazio squander another decent opportunity as Lulic is found just inside the box, but his shot on goal is poor and hit straight at Reina.

CHANCE! Radu comes close for Lazio, as he picks up the ball on the edge of the area, before firing in a left-footed strike that goes wide of the post with Reina at full stretch.

YELLOW CARD! Having just had that attempt on goal, Radu is handed a booking for a clumsy challenge.

SUBSTITUTION: Lazio make another change, with Keita replacing Lulic.

GOAL! Lazio 1-3 Napoli (Higuain)

The visitors have their third goal of the evening, and it’s another for Higuain! The striker is slipped through on goal by Pandev, and keeps his composure to fire the ball past the keeper.

SUBSTITUTION: Having set up the goal, Pandev makes way and Dzemaili enters the action.

YELLOW CARD! Britos picks up a booking for the away side.

Candreva tries his luck from a free kick that must be around 35 yards out from goal, but it is not his best effort and sails well wide.

SUBSTITUTION: Onazi comes on for Lazio, replacing Biglia.

The ball drops kindly to Insigne on the edge of the area, but his dipping volley ends up going high over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: There won't be a hat-trick for Higuain tonight as he makes way for Mertens.

GOAL! Lazio 2-3 Napoli (Keita)

Lazio have pulled a goal back, and they might get a point out of this game yet! Keita bursts into the box, before unleashing a stunning strike high into the net that gives Reina no chance.

Lazio will have three minutes of stoppage time to salvage a draw!

GOAL! Lazio 2-4 Napoli (Callejon)

Napoli have sealed the win! Mertens wins the ball brilliantly in midfield, before sliding it into the path of Callejon, who makes no mistake with the finish across Marchetti.

FULL-TIME: Lazio 2-4 Napoli

Napoli have held on to record a memorable win in Rome. It was a nervy finish, but Callejon's goal settled the game and made sure of the three points.

That's all we have time for here at Sports Mole after a remarkable night of football in Serie A. Please stay with us for all the latest news, but from me, it's goodnight!

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Fernando Llorente of Juventus celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and SSC Napoli at Juventus Arena on November 10, 2013
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atalanta BCAtalanta16121339172237
2Napoli16112324111335
3Inter Milan15104140152534
4Fiorentina1594228111731
5Lazio1610153023731
6Juventus16610026121428
7AC Milan167542516926
8Bologna156722118325
9Udinese166281925-620
10Empoli164751416-219
11Torino165471720-319
12Roma164481823-516
13Genoa163761324-1116
14Lecce164481027-1716
15Parma163672328-515
16Como163671828-1015
17Hellas VeronaHellas Verona1750122140-1915
18CagliariCagliari163581526-1114
19Monza161781421-710
20VeneziaVenezia1624101529-1410


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