Napoli have ended Roma’s season long unbeaten streak at the Stadio Olimpico with a 2-0 win over Roma, both goals coming courtesy of Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker converted a penalty and sent in a Paolo Cannavaro cross to put his league tally at 20, the highest in Serie A. Although AC Milan won 4-0 over Parma earlier on Saturday, the partenopei keep the league leaders in their sight, remaining just three behind in the race for the scudetto.
Roma Vs. Napoli: Edinson Cavani Brace Bags Important Win For Napoli
The first half brought no goals, but certainly drew out the worst in both sides. Marco Cassetti accused Ezequiel Lavezzi of spitting at him during an off the ball scuffle, and then proceeded to cuff Lavezzi around the head. Even more interestingly, Andrea Dossena appeared to have been shown a yellow card in the 23rd minute, but was shown one again just before the break. The Napoli wingback returned to the pitch for the second half, however, so either there was a mis-spotting of yellow or the referee just never noticed.
Shortly after the restart, Lavezzi put through a beautiful ball to Marek Hamsik. It seemed inevitable that Hamšík would score, but Roma defender Juan panicked and stuck out his leg. The referee showed no hesitation, pulling out a yellow card and pointing at the spot. Who else but Cavani would step up to the spot? The striker borrowed a page from Zlatan Ibrahimović, bouncing his shot off both posts. Yet unlike Ibrahimović's shot, Cavani's bounced off the second post and across the line. Just in case, though, he charged forward and put the ball over the line once more.
The penalty conversion brought forth the best in Roma. Jérémy Menez, on for Rodrigo Taddei after the break, looked dangerous, while Mirko Vučinić looked destined to score for the home side. Yet Roma manager Claudio Ranieri apparently hadn’t been paying attention, and decided to put captain Francesco Totti in for Vučinić at the 77th minute.
Unsurprisingly, Roma’s unwavering 4-4-2 could not keep Napoli at just one goal. Lavezzi plinked a cheeky header over to Paolo Cannavaro, who was surging up the right side. Cannavaro sent in one of the best crosses possibly ever seen by a center back, and Cavani was right there to meet it, this time volleying it in with his knee. With less than ten minutes to go, and one of their brightest players off the pitch, Roma, deflated, seemed to give up.
Nothing changes in the table just yet, although Roma do still have a game in hand. Napoli remain second, three behind Milan, while Roma remain in seventh, outside the European spots.
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