Video: Napoli 4-3 Lazio – Cavani shines in game of the season

Date: 3rd April 2011 at 5:47pm
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The lunch time kick off was a huge affair after last nights 3-0 win for Milan over Inter in the derby as both Napoli and Lazio harboured Scudetto and Champions League ambitions.

Napoli and Lazio faced off at the San Paolo where seven goals were scored, there was one red card, Giuseppe Sculli should have been sent off after having picked up two yellow cards but was not being sent off, also Cristian Brocchi had a goal controversially denied as his effort crossed the line yet it wasn’t given.

Edy Reja was given a brilliant reception on his return to the club since his sacking in early 2009. During his time at the San Paolo he took Napoli from Serie C1 to where they are now.

But his Lazio side were without the suspended trio of Cristian Ledesma, Francelino Matuzalem and Stefan Radu, while Tomasso Rocchi, Mourad Meghni and Mobido Diakite were all injured. Reja did manage to surprise us all by dropping Hernanes to the bench in favour of Stefano Mauri.

Napoli were missing Juan Zuniga and Gianluca Grava due to injury.

In the opening minutes of the game the home side had the first foray into the box thanks to some good link up play by Hamisk and Lavezzi before the Argentine’s shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Lavezzi’s through ball down the right fed Hamsik and his angled drive was palmed away by the Lazio keeper Nando Muslera at the near post.

Soaking up the pressure from Napoli, Lazio took the lead on the half hour. It was a brilliant individual effort by Stefano Mauri. He went on a bit of a solo run, skipping past three Napoli players then poked home past Morgan De Sanctis.

It should of been 2-0 moments later, Mauri sprung the offside trap thanks to a Cristian Borcchi pass, but his shot went inches wide when it seemed easier to score.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Lazio doubled their lead when a Javier Garrido free kick was whipped in for Andre Dias who volleyed home at full stretch.

Moments later Napoli struck back, giving themselves a chance in the game. Once again it was another set piece delivery, as Lavezzi’s free kick was flicked in the direction of Andrea Dossena who headed home at the back post.

Four minutes later it was 2-2, the comeback was complete. Again the goal came from a set piece, this time Hamsik nodded on to Cavani who was unmarked, and headed in from six yards out.

It should of been 3-2 to Lazio when Cristian Brocchi’s effort smashed the underside of the crossbar and bounced out. But, in another case for goal line technology, replays show it clearly crossed the line.

That was a bit of a warning as just two minutes later it was 3-2 to Lazio. Mauro Zarate broke down the left hand side and his shot was palmed away by De Sanctis but it fell to Salvatore Aronica who prodded into his own net.

With nine minutes to go Napoli were awarded a penalty as Giuseppe Biava pushed Cavani as he was about to shoot. The referee pointed to the spot and Biava was given his marching orders. Cavani dusted himself down and sent Muslera the wrong way to make it 3-3.

With two minutes to go it was 4-3 to the home side. What a brilliant comeback by Napoli coming from 2-0 down to make it 4-3. Cavani got the ball outside the box and chipped the on-rushing keeper as the ball made its way into the empty net. Muslera was unlucky though, as he got a hand to the ball.

In stoppage time, tempers flared as a scuffle broke out between Sculli and Cavani, who both went head to head with each other. Both players were booked, and Cavani will miss the Bologna game. Interestingly, it was thought that Sculli was already booked and should of been sent off, but this was not the case.

Napoli held on in the four minutes of stoppage time to claim a brilliant victory and stake their case in a title race, as they now move above Inter in the Serie A standings.

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