Napoli edge Lazio as match ends in chaos

Napoli defeated Lazio in a Serie A clash that ended in a chaotic scene as the game ended with three red cards.

Antonio Conte will have to deal with another injury concern following the victory on Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico.

The maximum points return the Partenopei to the second place in the Serie A table with goals coming from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani. This was also Conte’s first-ever victory over Maurizio Sarri in a competitive fixture. 

Although a positive victory for Conte, life was not made easier for him following a second-half injury to in-form winger David Neres, who has scored six goals and an assist across his last 11 appearances.

The Brazilian went down injured in the 66th minute after playing a routine short pass to Stanislav Lobotka in the right half-space.

The ball was knocked out of play for Neres to receive treatment shortly afterwards.  He was in deep pain, clutching his ankle, and had to be helped by two members of Napoli’s medical staff while making his way off the pitch. Conte eventually brought in  Pasquale Mazzocchi in the 70th minute in his place. 

Neres will now joinRomelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Sam Beukema on the treatment table.

Meanwhile, a chaotic end to the proceedings led to three send-offs and just 19 players completing the game.

Biancocelesti striker, Tijjani Noslin, was initially booked in the 69th minute for his role in an off-the-ball scuffle, before being given his marching orders for a clumsy challenge on Alessandro Buongiorno in the 81st. 

A few minutes before full-time, both Mazzocchi and Adam Marusic were shown straight red cards for instigating a scrap on the touchline. 

As the full-backs clashed on the ball, Marusic appeared to lightly kick out,  drawing a reaction from Mazzocchi, and both grappled with each other. Conte was in the middle, trying to separate them while half the dugouts emptied.

Both players were given straight red cards and will be suspended for the 19th round of Serie A fixtures.