Scott McTominay scores early as Napoli beat Cagliari 1-0 to climb to second in Serie A, extending their strong run in the race for Champions League spots.
Napoli climbed to second in Serie A after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Cagliari, sealed by an early Scott McTominay goal. Antonio Conte’s side made the perfect start and controlled large spells of the contest. The victory continues Napoli’s strong run and strengthens their push for Champions League qualification this season.
Napoli wasted no time asserting themselves, scoring inside two minutes. A dangerous cross from Matteo Politano caused confusion in the box. Alessandro Buongiorno’s effort was saved, but the rebound fell kindly. McTominay reacted quickly, bundling the ball home after it struck the post.
It was a scrappy finish but an important one. Napoli immediately took control of possession after the early breakthrough.
The visitors dominated much of the first half but could not extend their lead. Politano remained lively and forced a strong save from Elia Caprile. Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour also found good positions but lacked the final touch. Napoli’s passing was fluid, yet clear chances were limited.
Cagliari struggled to respond and offered little attacking threat. The hosts relied mainly on counter-attacks but rarely troubled the defence.
Napoli resumed with the same intensity after the break. De Bruyne tested Caprile again with a well-struck effort from distance. Politano also came close, while McTominay remained a constant presence in the box. Despite their dominance, the second goal never arrived.
Cagliari gradually grew into the game but still lacked cutting edge. Their best opportunity fell to Sebastiano Esposito, who fired wide.
The closing stages brought late drama as Cagliari pushed forward. A low cross flashed across the face of goal, causing panic in the Napoli defence. Leonardo Spinazzola reacted quickly to clear the danger on the line. It proved to be a decisive moment in preserving the lead.
Napoli held firm in the final minutes to secure all three points. It was not a comfortable finish, but the result never slipped away.
Napoli’s dominance was reflected in the statistics throughout the game. McTominay led the way with seven shots and 1.21 expected goals. He also recorded nine touches inside the opposition box, underlining his attacking influence. The midfielder now has 19 Serie A goals for Napoli.
Cagliari failed to register a single shot on target from seven attempts. Napoli also extended their unbeaten away run against Cagliari to 15 matches.
McTominay was the standout performer with his early goal and constant attacking threat. Politano provided energy and creativity down the flank. De Bruyne showed glimpses of quality in his return to full fitness. Defensively, Napoli remained organised despite late pressure.
Spinazzola’s goal-line clearance was arguably as important as the winning goal. It ensured Napoli left with maximum points.
Napoli’s win lifts them above AC Milan into second place, at least temporarily. They now sit six points behind leaders Inter. Their next fixture at home against AC Milan will be crucial as the title race and top four battle intensify. Meanwhile, Cagliari remain 15th and are not yet safe from relegation concerns. Both sides will look to build momentum as the season enters its business end.
