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Napoli, AS Roma share points after goal-packed thriller
AP, ROME
Monday, Oct 22, 2007, Page 18
Napoli held AS Roma to a 4-4 draw on Saturday and Inter Milan extended their lead to five points with a 1-0 win at Reggina in the Italian league.
Uruguay forward Marcelo Zalayeta scored the final equalizer for Napoli in the 84th minute.
"The team reacted well when we fell behind," Napoli coach Eddy Reja said.
In Reggio Calabria, Adriano scored his first goal of the season in the 18th, slightly redirecting a free kick by Luis Figo. Adriano had not scored for Inter since April 15 of last season.
While there was plenty of excitement on the field, the game at Stadio Olimpico lacked some atmosphere. With fears of violence, only Roma season-ticket holders were allowed in.
Ezequiel Ivan Lavezzi put Napoli ahead in the second minute with a rising, angled shot.
Francesco Totti equalized with a penalty in the 30th after David Pizarro was tripped inside the area. Simone Perrotta made it 2-1 for Roma in the 42nd, converting a rebound off a long shot by Totti.
Just after half-time, Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik scored for Napoli from the center of the area, taking advantage of a failed clearance by Roma.
In the 52nd, Daniele De Rossi restored the lead for Roma with a shot from beyond the area that was poorly handled by Napoli goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo.
Napoli scored in the 64th for 3-3, as midfielder Walter Gargano got his first Serie A goal with a 30m drive. Three minutes later, Lavezzi banged a shot off the crossbar for Napoli.
Pizarro put Roma ahead in the 80th with a free kick that deflected in off a Napoli defender and Zalayeta drew the teams even again four minutes later with a header off a corner kick.
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