Napoli scored two goals in injury time to hold 10-man AC Milan to a draw in Serie A on Wednesday and end the seven-time European champions’ recent winning run.
Juventus went second in the table as they thrashed high-flying Sampdoria, who drop to third, 5-1 in Turin.
But the real drama came in Naples, where late goals from Luca Cigarini and German Denis earned Napoli a richly deserved point after Ignazio Abate was sent off four minutes from time in their 2-2 draw with AC Milan.
Having developed a habit of starting slowly this season, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani had promised the club’s president, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, that they would stop torturing him.
The team seemed to heed the advice and came flying out of the blocks, only to then collapse late on. After six minutes they were already 2-0 ahead as Napoli’s defensive line was ruthlessly exposed.
Filippo Inzaghi ran onto Clarence Seedorf’s chip over the top on 2 minutes before finishing left-footed. And four minutes later he flicked on a long ball for Alex Pato to run onto from a suspiciously offside-looking position before outstripping the defense and finishing with aplomb.
Thereafter, though, it was all about goalkeeper Dida and some profligate shooting from the hosts, in particular Cristian Maggio who failed to beat a stricken Dida from six yards out early in the second period.
But after Abate earned a second yellow card Napoli finally found the finish they had been lacking as Cigarini lashed home a left-foot volley.
And then deep into injury time Denis headed home a cross from the right to send the San Paolo crowd into delirium.
In Turin, Juventus rediscovered their form in a stroll against the only team that stood between them and leaders Inter Milan. Juve leapfrogged Sampdoria into second and just one point behind Inter, who hosted Palermo yesterday, thanks to goals from Amauri (two), Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet.
Newly-promoted Parma moved up to fourth, and a Champions League position, as they beat fellow Serie A newboys Bari 2-0.
AS Roma lost for the third game in a row as they fell 2-1 at Udinese in a game in which both teams had a player sent off.
Lowly Livorno won their second match in a row since new coach Serse Cosmi took over as they beat Atalanta 1-0.
■ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP
AFP, LONDON
Arsenal’s young stars dazzled in the League Cup once again as the Gunners reached the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Liverpool, while Chelsea and Manchester City also romped through on Wednesday.
Arsene Wenger uses the League Cup as his training ground for each crop of youngsters emerging from the academy and the Arsenal manager looks to have found another gem or two judging by their victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Spanish teenager Fran Merida announced his arrival on the big stage in impressive style when he netted his first Arsenal goal in the 19th minute.
The 19-year-old former Barcelona midfielder drilled in a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Emiliano Insua drew Liverpool level in the 26th minute with his first goal for the Reds — a blistering 25-yard volley.
Nicklas Bendtner, 21, produced a powerful finish after 50 minutes to put Arsenal into the last eight in Wenger’s 750th game in charge of Arsenal.
Chelsea cruised through with a 4-0 victory over Bolton at Stamford Bridge despite resting the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech.
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