Match ends, Napoli 1, Roma 0.
NapoliNapoli1RomaRoma0
Napoli earned a vital win in the Champions League qualification race as second-placed Roma lost further ground on Serie A leaders Juventus.
The match looked destined to be a goalless draw until Spanish forward Jose Callejon headed in a late winner.
Roma had carried the greater attacking threat in the first half, with Gervinho spurning two glorious chances.
But third-placed Napoli grew into the game after the break and Callejon's goal put them three points behind Roma.
Only the top two sides in Serie A automatically qualify for the following season's Champions League, with the third-placed team facing a two-legged qualifying tie to reach the group stage.
And it appears to be a two-way battle between Rafael Benitez's side and Roma for second place behind runaway leaders Juventus.
The visitors needed a win to keep their slim hopes of overhauling Juve alive and only Napoli keeper Pepe Reina's double save from ex-Arsenal forward Gervinho stopped the Giallorossi from going ahead before half-time.
The on-loan Liverpool keeper also blocked Roma right-back Maicon's deflected shot with a smart reaction save after the break.
But Rudi Garcia's men are now 14 points adrift of Juve after Callejon's far-post header, from Faouzi Ghoulam's left-wing cross, condemned them to only a second league defeat of the season.
Line-ups
Napoli
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 25Reina
- 11Maggio
- 31Ghoulam
- 88Inler
- 21Fernández
- 33Albiol
- 7CallejónBooked at 34minsSubstituted forPandevat 85'minutes
- 20DzemailiSubstituted forAdriano Bussat 61'minutes
- 9Higuaín
- 17HamsikSubstituted forInsigneat 73'minutes
- 14Mertens
Substitutes
- 2Réveillere
- 4Adriano Buss
- 5Britos
- 13Bariti
- 15Colombo
- 19Pandev
- 22Radosevic
- 24Insigne
- 80Doblas Santana
- 91Zapata
Roma
Formation 4-3-3
- 26De Sanctis
- 13MaiconBooked at 33mins
- 46RomagnoliSubstituted forDestroat 84'minutes
- 6StrootmanSubstituted forTaddeiat 13'minutesBooked at 84mins
- 17Benatia
- 5Castan da Silva
- 15Pjanic
- 44Nainggolan
- 27Yao Kouassi
- 24FlorenziSubstituted forLjajicat 75'minutes
- 20Bastos
Substitutes
- 1Lobont
- 2Toloi
- 3Pires Ribeiro
- 8Ljajic
- 11Taddei
- 22Destro
- 28Skorupski
- 35Torosidis
- 94Ricci
- 95Mazzitelli
- Referee:
- Gianluca Rocchi
Match Stats
Home TeamNapoliAway TeamRoma
- Possession
- Home37%
- Away63%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away6
- Corners
- Home3
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Napoli 1, Roma 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Maicon (Roma) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Offside, Roma. Adem Ljajic tries a through ball, but Mattia Destro is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Rodrigo Taddei (Roma) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Adem Ljajic.
Substitution
Substitution, Napoli. Goran Pandev replaces José Callejón.
Substitution
Substitution, Roma. Mattia Destro replaces Alessio Romagnoli.
Booking
Rodrigo Taddei (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Rodrigo Taddei (Roma).
Post update
Dries Mertens (Napoli) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!
Goal! Napoli 1, Roma 0. José Callejón (Napoli) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Faouzi Ghoulam with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Alessio Romagnoli (Roma).
Post update
Henrique (Napoli) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Miralem Pjanic (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Gökhan Inler (Napoli).
Post update
Attempt missed. Henrique (Napoli) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Gökhan Inler.
Substitution
Substitution, Roma. Adem Ljajic replaces Alessandro Florenzi.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alessandro Florenzi (Roma) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Maicon with a cross.
Post update
Michel Bastos (Roma) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Christian Maggio (Napoli).
