Napoli held by Roma and miss chance to extend lead at the top

Napoli spurned the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A standings when they were held to a 1-1 draw away to AS Roma on Sunday, with Angelino equalising in added time for the hosts.

The draw moves Napoli on to 54 points, three ahead of Inter who still have a game in hand, while Roma stay ninth with 31 points. The visitors had been given further motivation by second-placed Inter Milan's 1-1 draw with AC Milan earlier on Sunday, but Napoli could only take a single point away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Leonardo Spinazzola scored against his former club to give Napoli the lead in the 29th minute, but with time running out, Roma snatched the goal to deny the away side what would have been a crucial win. The goal came as a sucker punch for Napoli, who had been in control for large portions of the game and were looking to extend their advantage at the top of the table.

"There is bitterness for the way we conceded the equaliser, but it's accepted that you can draw at the Olimpico, reality must not be forgotten," Napoli boss Antonio Conte told reporters. "Let's remember that we came from matches against Atalanta and Juventus, two wins and a draw are an important haul, but this draw at the last minute gives us even more motivation."

Napoli controlled most of the play in the opening half, with neither side really threatening to break the deadlock in the early stages. The visitors dictated possession and looked more dangerous going forward, but Roma remained disciplined in their defensive structure, denying Napoli clear-cut chances.

Scott McTominay should have done better from a Romelu Lukaku layoff in the box, but the Napoli midfielder sent his effort straight at the keeper. Napoli's breakthrough came from a move involving two former Roma players, as Juan Jesus played a long pass into the area and Spinazzola bided his time before lobbing the ball over the onrushing keeper Mile Svilar. It was a moment of composure and technical brilliance from the wing-back, who finished calmly to give Napoli the lead.

Roma threatened to level in added time before the break, but Alex Meret got down to save a header from Evan N'Dicka, and Napoli took their lead into halftime. The home side struggled to create meaningful chances in the first half, with Napoli's well-organized defense keeping them at bay.

The home fans were celebrating when Leandro Paredes struck direct from a free kick, but his shot hit the side netting. The Roma midfielder had another set-piece effort go even closer when it hit the post before going wide, sending a scare through the Napoli defense. Roma's best chances came from set-pieces as they struggled to break Napoli down in open play.

Despite those chances, Napoli looked in control, but with Antonio Conte's side unable to find a second goal, Roma were always in the game even going into added time. The inability to kill the game off proved costly for Napoli, as they failed to convert their dominance into a decisive second goal. The visitors missed opportunities on the break, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen both failing to make the most of promising situations.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Roma continued to push forward, sensing they could still salvage something from the game. Napoli dropped deeper, looking to protect their slender lead, but that ultimately invited pressure from the home side.

Alexis Saelemaekers' cross from out wide in the area came all the way to the unmarked Angelino, who had peeled away to find space, and he hit a volleyed shot which went through the crowded six-yard box and beyond Meret. It was a dramatic and well-taken goal, sending the Stadio Olimpico into raptures as Roma secured a vital point in their push for European qualification.

Inter play their rescheduled fixture with Fiorentina on Thursday, after the original match in December was abandoned in the 17th minute following the collapse of Edoardo Bove, and will have the chance to take top spot on goal difference with a win. With Napoli failing to capitalize on their opportunity, the pressure now shifts to Inter as they look to make up ground in the title race.