AC Milan and Napoli drew 1-1 at San Siro in Serie A action on Sunday night.
The Rossoneri were first to come close after just four minutes when Kevin Prince Boateng’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected off Paolo Cannavaro. Despite the deflection Morgan De Sanctis managed to get his fingertips to the ball and prevent AC Milan gaining an early lead.
The home side continued to attack and put pressure on Napoli and Christian Zapata was presented with a good chance on the seventh minute. The Colombian found himself free in the box after a corner but could not keep his header under the crossbar.
Napoli were struggling to get out their own half and Boateng came close again on the 13th minute after Kevin Constant stole the ball from Blerim Dzemaili and found the Ghanaian, who had made a late run to the back post but he failed to put his volley on target.
The Partenopei were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 18th minute after Marek Hamsik’s cross struck Mathieu Flamini on the hand, but the referee judged it not be intentional and signalled for a corner.
The Rossoneri broke the deadlock on the 30th minute after a good passing move between Robinho and Boateng the ball broke to Flamini and the Frenchman smashed the ball with his left foot into the bottom left hand corner from around 22 yards.
However, the celebrations were short lived as Goran Pandev equalised for the visitors just four minutes later. Hamsik played a fantastic through ball to the ex Inter man, who found himself completely free seven yards from goal and toe poked the ball over Christian Abbiati.
The game was end to end and after some superb movement, Edinson Cavani found himself free in the box and tried to lob the forthcoming Abbiati but the Italian managed to get his fingertips to the ball.
The second half got of to a slow start with Pandev coming closest for Napoli after a long range shot. Flamini also had a long range effort saved by De Sanctis.
Flamini went from hero to zero on the 71st minute when he lunged into a challenged with two feet and deservedly received a red card.
Napoli came close to taking the lead on the 78th minute after substitute Lorenzo Insigne slotted the ball into Cavani, but the Uruguayan failed to wrap his foot around the ball and his shot went well wide of the post.
The Azzurri had the better of the game after the sending off but failed to grab a winner. Napoli still sit second and maintain their four point advantage over AC Milan in third.
