Napoli back on top

Napoli reclaimed top spot in Serie A on Wednesday amid increasing tensions ignited by a photo of Holocaust victim Anne Frank in a Roma jersey posted by Lazio fans last weekend which overshadowed the tenth round of Serie A action.

Inter Milan had provisionally moved top with a 3-2 win over Sampdoria on Tuesday but Napoli responded with Dries Mertens scoring a double and forcing an own goal in a come-from-behind 3-2 win at Genoa.

"The regrets are we didn't kill off the game we absolutely dominated then conceded a goal ten minutes from time to leave it open," said Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri.

Adel Taarabt opened for Genoa after four minutes but Napoli fought back and equalised with a Mertens free kick ten minutes later. The Belgian pulled Napoli ahead with his second after half an hour.

Napoli got their third when Mertens forced an Ervin Zukanovic own goal but Armando Izzo got Genoa back into the game on 76 minutes with their second.

Juventus remain third a point behind Inter after a 4-1 win over SPAL in Turin, with Lazio shrugging joint third with the champions after a 2-1 win at Bologna.

AS Roma are fifth despite battling past Crotone thanks to a Diego Perotti converted penalty after ten minutes.

There was welcome relief for under-pressure AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella with a 4-1 win at Chievo getting the Chinese-owned club back to winning ways after three straight defeats and a draw.

Milan move up to eighth place with 16 points from ten games.

"It's a victory that conveys strength and conviction," said Montella.  "I'm very pleased with this performance but there is no time to rejoice even if we want to enjoy this moment. Mentally we were in a rut."

The team next play Juventus and Montella insisted: "Next Saturday I would like the real spark. I hope the Juve will underestimate us a bit."