NAPOLI'S eight-match winning streak came to an end as they were held to a goalless draw against rivals Inter Milan at Stadio San Paolo.
In a game full of opportunities, the two top side's in Serie A were unable to break the deadlock as they had to settle for a share of the spoils, as Maurizio Sarri's club stayed top of the table. Luciano Spalletti's men were holding on in the final ten minutes, with Samir Handanovic producing a stunning 90th minute save to deny Dries Mertens.
The Belgian forward thought he had netted his tenth of the season after he latched onto a Faouzi Ghoulam through ball, but his left footed volley was turned around the post by the Slovenian goalkeeper.
Napoli will feel bitterly disappointed they couldn't claim all three points, after bossing proceedings with over 62% of the possession.
Captain Marek Hamsik set the tone early on after missing an attempt in the fifth minute, with Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne both going close in the opening 20 minutes. Yuto Nagatomo and Manchester United target Ivan Perisic both tried their luck to no avail, with star striker Mauro Icardi and Borja Valero seeing their efforts well saved by Pepe Reina before the second period.
Hamsik again threatened to open the scoring in the 55th minute, but his right footed shot dragged just wide of the left-hand post as he looks to go level with all-time top scorer Diego Maradona with 115 goals for Napoli.
While his team-mate Insigne squandered a host of chances as he was left frustrated after failing to get on the score sheet.
In the end, a draw was a good result for both sides - Napoli remain two points above Inter - and six points clear of Juventus, though the Turin outfit have a game in hand.
From The Sun
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