Inter are still on course for their first Scudetto in 11 years, despite Napoli holding a 1-1 draw at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Sunday night.
The hosts started on the front foot and were rewarded in 36 minutes when the ever reliable Samir Handanovic spilled a Lorenzo Insigne post against midfielder Stefan de Vrij, with the ball bouncing painfully across the line.
The own goal was squeezed in by Romelu Lukaku beating the woodwork twice, but Inter could not find an equalizer before half time.
At one point, Nerazzurri seemed to have no idea what was going on, but Christian Eriksen pulled a real crowd pleaser as he, after 29 minutes, wove through the guests’ entire central defense and put the 1 – 1 equalizer away.
Christian Eriksen with an outstanding equalizer for Inter! ?
Crushed in the lower corner of the Dane? pic.twitter.com/zGx7FznCgV
– Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 18, 2021
The coach of Antonio Conte was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up.
The visitors survived an unnecessarily late VAR review after De Vrij made a perfect sliding challenge to deny Piotr Zielinski, just as Poland was about to pull the trigger in the area. Matteo Politano cannoned his shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper.
The result comfortably leaves Inter nine points clear at the top of Serie A, while Gli Azzurri is fifth, two points from the Champions League places after Juventus lost to Atalanta earlier on Sunday.
Here are you Inter player ratings from Naples …
What a disaster for Inter, and what a gift to Napoli! ?
A mix between Handanovic and de Vrij leads to the opening goal? pic.twitter.com/jX9vIvbP1C
– Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 18, 2021
Samir Handanovic (GK) – 5/10 – Made a very characteristic mistake when he hit a cross against his midfielder and sent it to 1-0 to Napoli. Not much to do otherwise.
Milan Skriniar (CB) – 6/10 – Calm under pressure when Napoli dominated the ball in the first half. Insigne revealed his lack of pace to the introducer.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) – 6/10 – Started a half chance over in the first half from a Christian Eriksen free kick. Unlucky that the ball bounced off him and into the net after his goalkeeper error. Made an incredible tackle on Zielinski when he aimed.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) – 6/10 – Another mature screen. Handle well with some awkward situations. Didn’t have much to do, but didn’t make a foot wrong either.
Achraf Hakimi impressed in the future | Francesco Pecoraro / Getty Images
Achraf Hakimi (RWB) – 6/10 – Arrived as usual. Missed a half decent main chance early in the second half. Excellent driving in the construction of Eriksen’s strike. Missed a gilded chance with the last attack in the game.
Nicolo Barella (CM) – 6/10 – One of the rare occasions where the game passed him somewhat during the first period. The impact grew during the second half of the year when Inter burst into life.
Marcelo Brozovic (DM) – 7/10 – Made two excellent blocks in quick succession during the first half. Anchored the midfield expertly and kept his side ticking nicely.
Christian Eriksen (CM) – 7/10 – Loose in possession on too many occasions. After a bad match, he came roaring back with a thumping left leg to equalize – his first league goal since July. Fired another decent long-range effort on goal.
Matteo Darmian (LWB) – 5/10 – Looked a little uncomfortably forward on his weaker foot. Had a huge change to score during the first period but tried inexplicably to square it. Booked and connected.
Lukaku struck the woodwork twice during the first half of the year | Francesco Pecoraro / Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 7/10 – Typically diligent. Should have had an assist for Darmian and hit the crossbar when he deflected a Brozovic attack on goal moments later. Hit the post again soon after Inter had fallen behind. Was involved in a fascinating hassle with Kalidou Koulibaly all the time.
Lautaro Martinez (ST) – 6/10 – Lots of physical presence during the first half, putting the body on and almost taking it a little too far. Be quiet during the second period before I subbed.
Ivan Perisic – 5/10Alexis Sanchez – 6/10 – Played a wonderful pass for Hakimi at death, but the winger could not capitalize.
Roberto Gagliardini – N / A
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