Napoli 2-1 AC Milan: Lukaku on target as title contenders Napoli secure narrow win over Milan

Scudetto contenders SSC Napoli secured only their second victory in eight Serie A matches, thanks to first-half goals from Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku, leading to a close 2-1 win over AC Milan.

With Inter having increased their lead at the top of the Serie A table to six points earlier in the day, Napoli recognized the critical need for a victory against the visiting Rossoneri.

Antonio Conte’s team started the match with great intensity, and their efforts paid off just 65 seconds in when Giovanni Di Lorenzo delivered a long ball that Politano skillfully controlled before finishing decisively into the bottom corner past Mike Maignan.

Buoyed by this early success, Napoli sought to capitalize on their momentum. After Frank Anguissa narrowly missed with an ambitious flick, they extended their lead in the 19th minute.

A well-placed pass from Billy Gilmour found Lukaku unmarked in the box, allowing the Belgian striker to take a moment to steady himself before slotting the ball coolly into the far corner.

Taken aback by Napoli's commanding start, Milan attempted to establish themselves in the match as the first half unfolded.

Despite enjoying possession in the attacking third, they struggled to create clear chances, allowing Napoli to maintain their two-goal lead at halftime.

The hosts continued to thwart Sergio Conceicao’s side in the early part of the second half, with Santiago Gimenez wasting a chance by shooting over from the edge of the box.

As the match approached the final 25 minutes, the Rossoneri missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit when Gimenez's weak penalty was saved by Alex Meret, following a foul by Philip Billing on Theo Hernandez in the area.

That missed chance seemed to be a turning point for Milan, but they eventually found the net with six minutes left, as Hernandez’s low cross was converted by substitute Luka Jovic.

In the last 20 minutes, Conceicao's team scored for the seventh time in their past eight league matches, intensifying their search for an equalizer. However, their efforts fell short as Napoli withstood the pressure, achieving their first home victory against this opponent in seven encounters.

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