AS Roma 2-0 Napoli: Pellegrini and Lukaku on target as Roma defeat nine-man visitors

AS Roma defeated Napoli 2-0 at home on Saturday thanks to goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Romelu Lukaku, while Matteo Politano and Victor Osimhen were sent off for the visitors.

Roma moved up to sixth place with 28 points, one more than Napoli, who fell to seventh. Since taking over from Rudi Garcia in November, Walter Mazzarri has lost five of his eight games in all competitions.

The game's first goal came in the 76th minute, when Pellegrini, who had only been on the field for five minutes, hit a half-volley on the turn into the top corner after the ball fell to him after a mis-hit shot by Stephan El Shaarawy.

Champions Napoli were already down to ten men after Politano was sent off in the 66th minute for kicking out at Nicola Zalewski while being pulled back by his jersey by the Roma player.

Osimhen was shown a second yellow card in the 86th minute, and Napoli had goalkeeper Alex Meret to thank for keeping the score at 1-0 until Lukaku sealed the victory in the 96th minute, with Napoli chasing a late equalizer.

Lukaku took possession inside the Napoli half and passed the ball to Ndicka, who played it back for the Belgian striker to shoot into the net.

The referee reached for the yellow card six times in the first half, including booking both managers, as Napoli dominated possession and Roma appeared to be the more dangerous side.

Roma had the first chance when Lukaku passed to Edoardo Bove, whose shot from the edge of the area hit the crossbar.

Until Politano's moment of madness, the game remained tense. Mourinho made three substitutions, and Pellegrini made the most of his first touch of the ball.

Napoli pushed for an equalizer but created few chances, and Meret was quick off his line to palm away a Lukaku effort before Osimhen's red card ended Napoli's hopes.

SportsLigue