Serie A champions Napoli secured a vital three points against Monza in a game in which they trailed Monza for much of the duration.
The Pertonopei suddenly sprung to life with four spectacular goals from Victor Osimhen, Matteo Politano volley, and Piotr Zielinski.
Napoli went into the tie on the back of one win and four draws in their last seven rounds. It was also a head-to-head for eighth place, with only three points separating the sides.
The Partenope fans protested, leaving the away end empty for 15 minutes. They were then seen hurling insults when they eventually came in.
It was a massive advantage to the host, and they made use of the opportunity to take the lead while the visiting fans were protesting outside.
In the 9th minute, the hosts took the lead, as on-loan Napoli player Alessio Zerbin whipped in a cross from the left for Milan Djuric to hold off Juan Jesus before nodding in from six yards.
Napolo responded through Giovanni Di Lorenzo, but his effort went over from close range after a corner pinballed around. Ngonge’s shot was also charged down after dribbling into the box.
Napoli had a huge opportunity to restore parity in the 40th minute but failed to use it. Michele Di Gregorio mis-controlled a back-pass, just about getting his toes to the ball before Osimhen, then made the save on Kvaratskhelia’s follow-up.
Djuric stopped Osimhen from tapping in the Amir Rrahmani knockdown on a corner.
Ngonge had the ball in the net with an angled drive but didn’t bother to celebrate, having wandered offside.
Napoli finally leveled the tie in the second half as Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa floated in a cross from the right, and Osimhen launched himself into the sky for the most towering of headers that were almost too towering, as he landed on his face and cut his lip, but was able to shake it off.
Napoli eventually turned the game around a few minutes later in simply stunning fashion through Politano, who scored with a lovely left foot after the ball was deflected to the edge of the area.
Napoli then made it 3-1 when Kvaratskhelia laid it off outside the box for Piotr Zielinski’s rocket off the underside of the crossbar, giving Di Gregorio no chance.
Monza made it a nervy tie for their hosts when they reduced the deficit as Andrea Colpani cut inside and bent a left-foot finish into the far top corner with a slight deflection.
Substitute Giacomo Raspadori later made the result safe when he scored with his first touch, pouncing on the rebound after Di Gregorio had parried Di Lorenzo’s angled drive.
Written by Oladipupo Mojeed
