Matteo Politano strike earns Napoli 1-0 win over AC Milan as defending champions move second in Serie A | OneFootball

Napoli dug deep to claim a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the Serie A at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Monday evening.

The result moves the defending champions into second place, two points ahead of Milan and seven points adrift of leaders Inter Milan.

Milan got an early chance when Christopher Nkunku fed Youssouf Fofana, who volleyed straight at Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

The Napoli goalkeeper almost gifted Milan a goal in the 13th minute as he misjudged a cross, but Strahinja Pavlovic could only head wide.

Leonardo Spinazzola was the first to threaten for the defending champions, curling an effort just past the post.

Nkunku did well to present himself a shooting chance in the 35th minute, but he flashed his effort off target.

Giovane Nascimento missed a good chance to put the hosts ahead after he was slipped through. His indecisiveness allowed Pavlovic to make a timely block to avert the danger.

The Brazilian was then denied by Mike Maignan in the 51st minute, with the French goalkeeper pushing his effort away with a low save.

Napoli continued to enjoy possession, but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunity.

The breakthrough for the hosts eventually came in the 79th minute, when Milan’s Koni De Winter flicked the ball towards Matteo Politano at the far post, who blasted the ball home.

Milan pushed for a late equaliser, but Napoli held on to secure the victory, keeping their title hopes alive.