Politano late show fires Napoli past AC Milan
Matteo Politano came off the bench to score a 79th-minute winner as Napoli moved up to second in Serie A after beating AC Milan 1-0 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The reigning Scudetto holder is now seven points behind leader Inter with seven games of its season remaining, while Milan saw its title hopes severely dented.
Youssouf Fofana's volley forced Vanja Milinkovic-Savic into an early save before Leonardo Spinazzola's curling effort at the other end whistled just evaded the top-right corner.
Milan had Strahinja Pavlovic to thank as his fine recovery block denied Giovane an attempt at goal as Scott McTominay's overhead kick went wide to close out a low-key first half.
The match adopted a more end-to-end feel after the break, with Giovane's stinging drive with his left foot forcing Milan captain Mike Maignan into a sprawling stop to his right.
Antonio Conte turned to his bench in search of a winner, with both Alisson Santos and Politano introduced, and the pair played their part in putting Napoli ahead late in the day.
Santos's brilliant no-look pass picked out Mathias Olivera, whose cross into the box was headed to the back post by Milan defender Koni De Winter, allowing Politano to strike first time and squeeze the ball in at Maignan's near post.
Milan pushed for a leveller, with Santiago Gimenez's header from Zachary Athekame's cross landing on top of the net the closest they came as Napoli held on for a hugely important three points.
