Napoli 1 - 1 US Sassuolo Calcio: Napoli held as Sassuolo hit back to grab point - 7M sport

Napoli 1 - 1 US Sassuolo Calcio: Napoli held as Sassuolo hit back to grab point



Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2016 by PA

Gregoire Defrel's stunning equaliser snapped Sassuolo's losing streak and handed Napoli's Serie A title hopes another blow.

Defrel's late volley cancelled out Lorenzo Insigne's opener as Napoli were held to a 1-1 draw - their third stalemate in a row at the Stadio San Paolo in all competitions.

Leaders Juventus lost on Sunday, while the rest of the top six won, leaving Napoli down in seventh, eight points behind the reigning champions.

Insigne had a couple of sights at goal in the first half. First he curled narrowly over the crossbar from just inside the area before seeing a free-kick on the edge of the box blocked by the wall.

The 25-year-old Italian found his mark three minutes before the interval, cutting in from the left before letting fly with a deflected strike that beat Andrea Consigli and gave the hosts a deserved lead.

Sassuolo, who had lost their last four games, improved after the break and nearly levelled when Simone Missiroli headed off the bar.

And they struck a leveller with eight minutes left - and in some style. Marcello Gazzola's fine cross from the right was brilliantly dispatched on the volley by Defrel from near the penalty spot.

Napoli poured forward in search of a late winner and went agonisingly close through Jose Callejon, whose low shot hit the base of Consigli's left-hand post in the third minute of stoppage time.

There was still time for one last chance, but Amadou Diawara could not find the target from Allan's corner and Napoli were left ruing a missed opportunity to trim Juventus' lead further.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.