Hernanes rescues Inter
Brazilian Hernanes levelled with a bullet header in injury-time to secure a share of the points for Inter Milan in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Napoli that could help decide the fate of Nerazzurri coach Walter Mazzarri.
Following two consecutive heavy defeats to Cagliari (4-1) and Fiorentina (3-0), Mazzarri was under pressure from club president Erick Thohir to start producing results.
Inter looked to be heading for their third defeat on the trot when Napoli forward Jose Callejon struck a brace, including what appeared to be 90th minute winner, eight minutes after Fredy Guarin had come off the bench to level for the hosts in the 82nd minute.
But cheers from the Napoli end of the sparsely-attended San Siro had barely died down when Hernanes rose above the Napoli defence to meet Dodo's cross from the left with a powerful header that left Rafael Cabral with no chance.
Inter spurned the opportunity to claim all three points when late substitute Ibrahima Mbaye fired just wide in the dying seconds.
While Mazzarri failed to show for the post-match press conference, Hernanes told Sky Sport: "We've earned a very precious point. For us, the season starts now."
Rafael Benitez's Napoli now sit seventh, eight points behind leaders Juventus. Inter moved up one place to ninth but are 10 points off the pace.
In a match noted for the lack of Italian players -- only Andrea Ranocchia and Lorenzo Insigne started for Inter and Napoli respectively -- Inter shaded a largely insipid opening half.
Nigerian Joel Obi had Inter's first shot on target with a speculative angled strike but the hosts then went on to miss three great chances for the opener.
Mauro Icardi fired over while under pressure from Raul Albiol as he pivoted on Hernanes' pass down the right.
When Mateo Kovacic's intended lob for Rodrigo Palacio went awry, Hernanes pounced but fired well over from 18 metres out.
A Marek Hamsik shot from a tight angle at the other end forced Samir Handanovic down low at his near post.
Just before the interval, Hernanes chested the ball down on the edge of the area only to see his low strike come off the foot of Cabral's upright.
Inter defender Nemanja Vidic headed over from a corner while Inter's claims for a penalty were waved away after Hernanes fell under a challenge from Kalidou Koulibaly.
Napoli finally showed some threat and after testing Handanovic with a low drive the Spaniard finally hit the target when Vidic, who has been notable for several howlers since joining from Manchester United, nodded a throw-in into the Spaniard'spath.
Callejon had no trouble finding the net with a fierce strike from just inside the area.
Napoli's joy lasted just three minutes, Guarin firing past Cabral at the back post after Icardi had flicked on Dodo's corner.
Benitez's men took a 90th minue lead when Callejon volleyed a smart David Lopez lob past Handanovic, but again Inter pulled level when Hernanes rose to fire a powerful header past Cabral from Dodo's cross on the left.
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