After spending three hours in third place, Napoli have recaptured their advantage over Roma in the Serie A standings, defeating Atalanta 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo on Monday evening.
Gonzalo Higuain scored just ten minutes into his return to the lineup before completing his brace in the second half. Marco Borriello made things interesting with a goal five minutes from time.
Napoli took the lead with their first opportunity ten minutes into the match. Marek Hamsik played a clever ball over the top of the defence to Higuain who volleyed his effort past goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.
Atalanta nearly responded 60 seconds later when Luca Cigarini showed some crafty skill down the left before playing across goal to Marco D’Alessandro but Faouzi Ghoulam was there to make a goal-saving interception.
After 25 minutes Lorenzo Insigne attempted a chip in space but Sportiello recognized the attempt and retreated in time to make a comfortable catch.
In the 32nd minute an Allan effort from just outside the box was pushed over the bar.
Five minutes before halftime Insigne attempted an audacious overhead kick that did not finish too far from goal.
The Partenopei continued their pressure after the interval and after a misplaced Berat Djimsiti pass, Hamsik skipped past Marten de Roon but his week-footed effort was too close to the goalkeeper.
Another Atalanta mistake in possession saw Allan move clear on goal but the Brazilian’s curler crashed off the crossbar.
Dries Mertens nearly doubled Napoli’s advantage seconds after entering play in the 65th minute, but his effort just missed the far post.
Two minutes later, a looping Jose Callejon effort nearly caught Sportiello off his line.
Higuain doubled the home side’s advantage in the 77th minute, nodding home a delightful Callejon chipped cross.
Atalanta pulling one back in the 85th minute. Andrea Conti played Borriello into the box whose deflected effort fooled Pepe Reina.
Despite some late shaky moments in defence, the Partenopei were able to steady the ship and take the three points.
The victory reestablishes Napoli’s two-point advantage over Roma for second place and automatic qualification into the Champions League.
Meanwhile, the defeat for Atalanta has little impact in the standings, la Dea remaining in 14th place, six points above the relegation line.
