Napoli crush sorry Roma
Napoli ripped AS Roma's defence to shreds as they handed the hosts an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Sunday and piled on the problems for coach Claudio Ranieri.
Arkadiusz Milik put Napoli ahead after two minutes, cleverly controlling Simone Verdi's chipped pass with his heel and then swiveling to fire past Robin Olsen.
Having dominated the first half, Napoli were pegged back in stoppage time when Patrik Schick was fouled by goalkeeper Alex Meret and Diego Perotti slotted home the penalty. Yet Roma were left reeling by two quick goals after the break.
Jose Callejon's low cross slipped under Olsen's hand to leave Dries Mertens with a tap-in at the far post in the 50th minute, then Fabian Ruiz burst down the left and set up Verdi for the third five minutes later.
Substitute Amin Younes added the fourth as second-placed Napoli stayed 15 points behind runaway leaders Juventus while Roma dropped to sixth with 47 points.
"We deserved the win and it's just a pity we didn't score more goals in the first half too," Mertens told Sky Sport Italia. "It was a step forward and we are continuing to develop as a team. I am certainly happy to have found the net and hope to carry on like this. The season isn't over yet and we'll see what happens."
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